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

[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