Horsehair Sporrans

**HeathBar** · 2nd January 06, 08:47 AM

This is a question(or four) I have pondered for some time. I have searched the archives here and could not find a suitable thread, so I'll start one myself.

What your feelings on the horsehair sporran. Is it only for military or pipe major use? Can it be pulled off in a semi-dress daywear outfit? I like the look of them in the MacLeay portraits shown on the Scottish Tartans Authority website. Is this a look best left in the Victorian age? Or is it the price that keeps them out of today's daily wear?

What's your opinion?

**bubba** · 2nd January 06, 09:21 AM

This is just my opinion, but the horsehair sporrans only look right with a dress uniform, such as military or a piper. I don't think it would look at all good with normal civilian highland dress.

**highlander_Daz** · 2nd January 06, 09:27 AM

Pipers only im afraid

**James** · 2nd January 06, 09:56 AM

Horrible.

James

**chasem** · 2nd January 06, 11:50 AM

I have to say it looks best with pipers/other uniforms as well.

**GlassMan** · 2nd January 06, 01:47 PM

I always felt it looked silly on anyone other than a piper.

**Hamish** · 2nd January 06, 04:20 PM

These are indeed known as Pipers' Sporrans - and only pipers in full dress uniform should wear them. They are an abomination with 'civvies'!

**HeathBar** · 2nd January 06, 06:39 PM

Obviously hair sporrans don't have a very high rating here, at least for civilian wear. Where did they go wrong? From the period illustrations I've seen they were a popular type of sporran for civilian wear. Maybe not for the working class, but at least for the well-to-do, gentlemen sorts. Our own Matt Newsome has a picture of himself, on his website, wearing one. If anyone can elaborate on them and their history, please do. I would appriciate it.

**GMan** · 2nd January 06, 07:34 PM

I have nothing against them. They do look nice and all. However on a personal note, I do not see myself wearing one, because I am not a piper or in a military unit.

**Owl of Oban** · 2nd January 06, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by HeathBar

Obviously hair sporrans don't have a very high rating here, at least for civilian wear. Where did they go wrong? From the period illustrations I've seen they were a popular type of sporran for civilian wear.

One should be careful using the MacIan prints or other period Victorian illustrations of highland dress as models for what's proper. Those drawings are fanciful at best and while I don't doubt that the occasional highland gentleman strapped on broadsword, dirk, pistols, powder horn, plaid and yes, hair sporran for a formal event...consider that none of of those other acoutrements have survived in any commonly used form to today.

Just my 0.02.