The sporran, a necessity?

[James]

Looking at the latest issue of The Great War, there is an article about a chap who joined the Liverpool Scottish.

Interestingly there is an illustration showing him in dress uniform apparently as a new recruit wearing a horsehair sporran with spats. However another picture taken in France with two other soldiers shows two of them with, kilt puttees and no sporran, and the third soldier wearing shorts.

This supports my thinking that the conventional sporran is not of necessity a suitable item for wear in an active environment. Certainly I've seen other pictures of soldiers on active service wearing their kilts, but wihout the sporran.

In every case where the kilt is being worn, it is being worn at the top of the kneecap in a smart fashion: there again any longer would not only be sloppy, it would be unsuitable for military wear.

James

[Kilted KT]

trying to do anything considered "active" with a sporran is not advisable. It puts your bits and pieces at serious risk of being "sporran-bashed", something none of us want.

[ozmeath]

It could also be a case of taking the sporran off for the photo op. But I'm inclined to agree with KT, any vigorous activity is fraught with peril when one is wearing a sporran. Unless it's drinking. The wearer, not the sporran.
E.

[Chris Webb]

From all I've read the purpose of the sporran is to keep your kilt down and to hide any physiological activity one may be experiencing ... hum, which is also why I don't wear sporrans.

Kilt On!

Chris Webb

[Mattg]

Well, you don't see any guys wearing a sporran while participating in the highland games....so I would agree. Not too good for vigorous activity.

[NewKilt]

Looking at the latest issue of The Great War, there is an article about a chap who joined the Liverpool Scottish.

Interestingly there is an illustration showing him in dress uniform apparently as a new recruit wearing a horsehair sporran with spats. However another picture taken in France with two other soldiers shows two of them with, kilt puttees and no sporran, and the third soldier wearing shorts.

This supports my thinking that the conventional sporran is not of necessity a suitable item for wear in an active environment. Certainly I've seen other pictures of soldiers on active service wearing their kilts, but wihout the sporran.

In every case where the kilt is being worn, it is being worn at the top of the kneecap in a smart fashion: there again any longer would not only be sloppy, it would be unsuitable for military wear.

James

I fully agree, James. A sporran can get in the way and actual be a detriment for some activities. The only time I wear a sporran with my traditional wools is when I leave the house. I use it as a pocket for my wallet, car keys, and cell phone. The only times I wear a sporran at home is when I'm alone. I have to keep a cell phone with me due to my disabilities. I don't believe a sporran is needed if you have some other means of carrying what you need.

As I recall, many of the folks that wear a traditional Scottish kilt to work, move their sporran to the side so that they don't have to deal with it getting in the way.

I agree on the kilt length as well. Even my Utilikilts were ordered at a length were they hit me at the top of the knee. Just my personal opinion, but I think a kilt, whether traditional or non-traditional, looks better and feels better when worn at the top of the knee.

Darrell

[auld argonian]

When you're looking at posed pictures of military types, try to remember that they were often "propped" with formal gear and weapons that they didn't usually carry...stuff that was borrowed or the property of the photographer or studio. This is true of a lot of American Civil War (or War of Secession or War of Northern Agression or whatever you think is politically correct) photos.

My dad has this great picture of himself in the shadows of a building very dramatically brandishing a Thompson machine gun...and he'll tell you that it was basically a prop that they had on the air base and they all took turns holding the gun and posing dramatically while their buddies shot the photos which they then sent home to wow the folks on the home front. In reality, my dad never fired a weapon in combat during WWII...he was too busy navigating and dropping bombs from B17. One of the photos of my dad that IS genuine is him in the shearling jacket and leather flying helmet and goggles...we call it his "Red Baron" shot.

But on a more serious note, I recently read an article about souvenir photos sent home by miners from the various North American gold rushes and it pointed out that for some of these guys, this was the last photo that they ever had taken and it was the only thing that their families back home had to remember them by. This has influenced my view of any of these souvenir photos from the military a great deal...they were important icons that families held on to...no wonder that the young men wanted to look strong and well armed and confident as they went off to battle.

Thus, I expect that what ever gear they actually used during active service, they got photographed in the "full kit" to please the folks back home and to express their own pride in their military service.

Best

AA

[bubba]

A sporran is definately not field gear. The fact is troops in the field had plenty of places to put their equipment and personal gear and had no need for a sporran. With a uniform a sporran is more a decorative accessory than a practical piece of kit.

[davedove]

A sporran is definately not field gear. The fact is troops in the field had plenty of places to put their equipment and personal gear and had no need for a sporran. With a uniform a sporran is more a decorative accessory than a practical piece of kit.

True, most of a soldier's warfighting gear would be attached to a strap or belt somewhere on his body. Any personal or field type gear would be packed away and a bag hanging between the legs would not be the best place to put that.

For just strolling around a sporran in the traditional positioning isn't that bad. But if you're going to be active, it just gets in the way.

[cessna152towser]

I'd feel naked going outside in a kilt without its sporran. Unless the sporran is heavily weighted with coins it shouldn't cause too much discomfort when walking gently though I turn mine to the side when I take part in the Great North Run.