Women, purses, Nicoll bros and the future of Scottish sporrans

[Nanook]

Buzz Kidder also makes an excellent sporran (big and sturdy).

Of course for a bit more there are always the Freelanders!

These may be fine casual pouches but they are not really traditional in the sense of the sporran patterns of the late 19th century. Neither are, I suspect, they up to making regimental hair or full mask sporrans. These are really demanding in some patterns--- some using bullion instead of hair tassels. Even sourcing some of the materials used in ceremonial garb is hardly easy given the use of many "obsolete" techniques, materials and dyes (such as Cochineal and some other more exotic pigments only available through tightly controlled channels) made using anachronistic methods and tooling. And again.. the smaller the market, the higher the prices due to the fixed costs of keeping things running. Some will, of course, say "Bugger tradition".

[Warlock]

I think the freelander is the nicest one I've ever seen. One day I'll own one as my dress sporran.

[Andrew Breecher]

I think the freelander is the nicest one I've ever seen. One day I'll own one as my dress sporran.

Although I've seen that David and Sten made a sporran of hair, the rest of their sporrans are not dress sporrans. They are very much day wear sporrans. Don't get me wrong - I love them. I own one in brown that wear nearly every day, and I have a black one on my list of things to buy when I can spare the money. But they aren't dress sporrans.

Andrew.

[Bob C]

I think the freelander is the nicest one I've ever seen. One day I'll own one as my dress sporran.

Freelanders are NOT dress sporrans. They appear to be beautifully crafted, but they're definitely casual.

[A Hay]

The topic of Sporrans of the Future has caused me to reflect on where I think I might want to go with the sporrans I've been working on. Here's my feelings on the subject, for what they're worth.

I've seen the mass production and some handmade sporrans on websites and at some of the Highland Games in the States, and while they are adequate (for the mass produced type) and quite handsome for some of the handmades, albeit expensive, I felt there was perhaps a niche for another type.

I don't necessarily like the tassles for a daywear sporran, because they can be noisy and catch on things.

The couple of inexpensive one's I bought early on had snap closures, and I could never get them to snap. And, as others mentioned elsewhere, the openings are too small for larger hands.

So I thought I would try to modify the flap to be larger, and thus offer a place to put a design, while keeping the traditional shape. I've also made the gusset wider, making the sporran about a half=inch wider from front to back.

I'm trying to make them (as shown on some previous posts) like I think a craftsman might make something for everyday wear. Not fancy for a Lord or
Gentleman, but simple and utilitarian for a tradesman or a prosperous farmer. The carvings in the leather carry a theme, the Rampant Lion of Scotland, the Harp of Ireland, and the Dragon of Wales, because they are readily identifiable symbols of those celtic cultures. I also have some other ideas I'm working on, as my skills and tools improve.

Sporrans are partly utilitarian, particularly for casual and daywear, so I for one like the new designs and new materials that are coming out (hot pink in shiny vinyl, may be going too far though!!). But I hope there is a place for traditional style (shape and size), with some modest variations for folks to express their individuality.

I thank others who have made sporrans and displayed them on this site. You have aided me to improve and given me ideas for the future. I hope you all keep making more and improving your skills. I enjoy seeing your pictures and reading about what went right and wrong.

Thanks also to all of you who have encouraged me in my projects. I hope to soon be able to take some orders, but not yet. I've sold or given as gifts some of the prototypes and the feedback has been helpful.

Respectfully,
Tom

[Panache]

These may be fine casual pouches but they are not really traditional in the sense of the sporran patterns of the late 19th century. Neither are, I suspect, they up to making regimental hair or full mask sporrans. These are really demanding in some patterns--- some using bullion instead of hair tassels. Even sourcing some of the materials used in ceremonial garb is hardly easy given the use of many "obsolete" techniques, materials and dyes (such as Cochineal and some other more exotic pigments only available through tightly controlled channels) made using anachronistic methods and tooling. And again.. the smaller the market, the higher the prices due to the fixed costs of keeping things running. Some will, of course, say "Bugger tradition".

Sporrans became very elaborate in the Victorian era when Scottish Highland garb was in fashion. I believe the Freelander design harkens back prior to this when the sporran was a utilitarian item for the field. I believe they were also worn at th hip instead of in front of the apron. So the question becomes "How traditional?" and "What tradition?" one wishes to follow.

I certainly can appreciate the quality of an item made by hand using traditional methods. My 16 oz.Galbraith ancient tartan kilt handsewn by Matt Newsome is a thing of beauty that I will treasure as long as I live. I feel the same about my Freelander sporran. However I would have never spent the money for either if I hadn't first had a chance to try a Stillwater kilt and sporran that I could reasonably afford. I thought them handsome and well made and enjoyed wearing them. That inpsired me to want custom handmade things. Companies like Stillwater, Sport Kilt, and USA Kilts (casual and semi tradional lines) give people the opportunity to wear a kilt and accessories without spending thousands of dollars to do so. Instead of stealing the market, I think it likely they inspire more people to want and buy the traditionally made gear. I love my Matt Newsome 5 yard knife pleated kilt, but my next two kilts were from Stillwater. My next kilt is going to be a USA semitraditional Mcleod of Lewis. But I'm pondering the next run of the "X Marks Tartan" for the one after. There is certainly room for both kinds of makers/vendors. The kilt wearer has never had more or better choices.

Cheers