Sparrin' Over the Sporran

[Mark Keeney]

Do you buy synthetic kilts too?

You don't kill sheep to get wool.

[Tommie]

Do you buy synthetic kilts too?
__________________

I have not as of yet seen a kilt made from Badger,Seal or Dolphin skin.

I also will not ever purchase a kilt from any kilt maker that makes Sporans from these type of skins.

[Phil]

I'm sure you won't have any problems, particularly if you have a normal type of sporran. Billy Connolly seems to go backwards and forwards to America with a badger sporan. I think Customs are a lot tougher in America when it comes to certain items like seal fur and wherever you go ivory is a no-no unless you can prove it is older than the ban (e.g. bagpipe fittings). And pack your sgian dubh in your hold luggage or it is likely to be confiscated.

[BoldHighlander]

I'm going to have to add my point of view here,and some of you may not like it,but i have to say it.

I'm very disapointed that some of you are creating a market by purchasing wild animal sporans.I find it repulsive an would never buy one.

Come on guys-there are plenty of alternatives hides out there without killing wildlife...Sorry,but its just how I feel.

Tommie, do you own a leather sporran, boots, shoes, etc?
If so, how do you think it was obtained?

[Jack Daw]

I don't have a badger sporran, only a horsehair (as far as military sporrans go), but I do intend to get a badger mask one soon. I'm Wisconsin, after all. But yeah, with the black watch and the diced hose, I bet you look like you're straight out of Tunes of Glory! Throw on a khaki shirt and diced glengarry, and you're ready to march!

I also have a forest green Patrol Tunic that I got from Canada. Before consolidation, the regiment converted from the red coat to the green. I haven't gotten an occasion to wear the tunic for piping, yet, though. And, I'm sticking with my plain glengarry.

Ah, "Tunes of Glory" is one of my favorite kilted movies!

Jock: "For those that want whisky - whiskY! And, for those that don't - whisky!"

Jock: "Whae's the best piper- eh? Whae's the best piper?!"

[Daaaaang]

Acrylibeast is actually getting pretty similar to it's formerly alive alternatives. I have an acrylibeast sporran that many people have thought was grey rabbit, even after touching it. So hey that's nice.

I wonder if/when a full-mask acrylibeast sporran will be available.

[Tommie]

Tommie, do you own a leather sporran, boots, shoes, etc?
If so, how do you think it was obtained?

I think you are missing my point here.
Leather does not come from animals in the wild.

[BoldHighlander]

I think you are missing my point here.
Leather does not come from animals in the wild.

No, I'm not missing the point. But you also can't ignore one while condemning the other.

[Arlen]

I think you are missing my point here.
Leather does not come from animals in the wild.

I don't own anything other than goat, bovine and rabbit-skin sporrans.
I done all I could to ensure those sporrans were made from animals that had been killed for meat as well as their hides.
I also try to make sure that the animals are killed in a humane fashion and have led a good life.

Most leather goods, boots, belt or jackets, are made from cows that are killed strictly for their hides.
Juuuuust like the fur trade.
Every other part of the animal goes to waste. You're lucky if the remains go as dog food.

Killing an animal is killing an animal.
I kill animals to eat them and use offal, bones and skin.
They were wild. At least I can be sure they had a good life before they died.
Most leather comes from cows bred in terrible situations and fed full of rubbish to make their leather just what is required for the modern market.


Back on topic:

I know a few folk who have gone back and forth with seal-skin sporrans. So long as it is older than about 1995-ish (I think someone qouted 1994, that seems more accurate) then you won't have any problems.


Good luck with the games and enjoy your time here.

[BoldHighlander]

Back on topic:

I know a few folk who have gone back and forth with seal-skin sporrans. So long as it is older than about 1995-ish (I think someone qouted 1994, that seems more accurate) then you won't have any problems.

I'm just curious how does someone "prove" if a sporran was made before such & such date, or the hide was pre-ban?

Someone mentioned earlier that their uncle had to sign a declaration to such & that was it. If that was it, then no problem I guess.