Sporrans - I don't get it.

[george7]

I'm pretty darn out of luck. My horsehair sporrans won't even hold my car keys. One has room for my ID and a credit card. I think they were invented to make pipe majors happy.

[Southern Breeze]

Pipers sporrans are big and flashy for a reason- to draw attention away from that awful racket he's making.

Just kidding, I can sit and listen to the pipes all day.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The use of the sporran actually predates the kilt. The word sporran is simply Gaelic for a pouch or purse. The sporrans worn today are, of course, different stylistically than historic pouches, but their purpose is the same -- to carry important things with you.

Someone already mentioned that historically most clothing -- not just kilts -- did not have pockets. I can't recall off hand when they were developed but I think most people would be surprised at how recently they were added. So some form of pouch was really a must-have accessory for most of history. (And yes, since time immemorial pouches have been made from dead animal skin, aka leather. It never ceases to amaze me how my leather sporran can draw criticism, but no one ever mentions my leather belt or shoes. In fact sometimes the person criticising my sporran is wearing a leather belt and/or shoes!)

The placement of the sporran in center front also is traditional and would seem to pre-date the kilt. Guibert of Nogent, Benendictine historian, described the Scots in the early twelfth century was wearing their "scrips" (pouches), forward, hanging from their shoulders. I've seen translations that have rendered it "from their haunches," however, which certainly brings to mind the common position of the sporran today.

Why continue to wear the sporran? Certainly it is a matter of function. As has been pointed out, most kilts do not have pockets and you need a place to keep your wallet and car keys. Why not make kilts with pockets and forgo the sporran altogether? Well, the kilt is in the main an item of heritage clothing, and the sporran is traditional -- and that's a great reason to wear it.

[herminator]

And if you don´t like

"dead animal skin"

try a SWK Nightstalker Sporran:

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...argo%20Sporran

[Riverkilt]

While I understand the history, and do wear the "Scottish fanny pack" up front, whenever I have the choice I prefer to go without and carry my "stuff" in a vest or jacket. Soooo much more comfy for an olde fat man. Started out losing the belts with my kilts, now losing the sporrans. Vests or jackets work just fine for what I carry thank you...

Ron

[turpin]

Personally, I try to avoid exotic furry stuff but look upon bovine leather as re-using the bag that my last hamburger originally came in.

Best

AA

I just love the way you put things AA. Very droll.

If my kilt has pockets (UK, Alphakilt) I don't wear a sporran. Otherwise, it's where I keep my pocket stuff. If it bangs while I'm walking I move it to the side. Some prefer ot on a belt look a la Liam Neeson in Rob Roy. that's cool.

It had to have evolved at least in part with great kilts that basically has no pockets (except perhaps those afforded by the folds of the cloth). As Matt siad above, men have been carrying leather bags since they started making leather bags. They gravitated to being worn on the belts or slung over shoulders to leave arms free for self defense.

[beowulf67]

Just kidding, I can sit and listen to the pipes all day.

And if you are within a 1.5 mile radius you have no choice!

Just kidding pipers, I tease because I love.

[Tetley]

In all the years I've carried a bag, I've only misplaced one once, but I got it and all the contents back within an hour or so after someone turned it in.

I too have carried a man bag or small haversack since I was a young teenager but not one that look as good as yours. Where, might I ask, did you get it?

Mark

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I've carried some form of (for what is for today's discussion best called) a "man's bag" for more than 20 years, so I'm going to have to disagree. I have found them to be highly utile and not at all inconvenient.

I will agree that it tends to accumulate more than one would ordinarily schlep around, but somehow what I have someone invariably needs (it's often me), and I'm always glad I had it with me.



My latest version sports a long strap that goes over one shoulder and under the other arm - I always have my hands free and I always know where it is.

In all the years I've carried a bag, I've only misplaced one once, but I got it and all the contents back within an hour or so after someone turned it in.



You are probably right. Tonight here is what was in mine:

It is the best thing for keeping close to me what could possibly be the second most expensive thing I own (not counting the house or my copy of the transcript of my ex's deposition), my Lafont spectacles and case.

However, even I said recently:



And so, on many occasions, the only things are carry, whether in my sporran or on my person, are these:

My actual wallet follows my rules.

As for why the sporran? Well, I think bags are really handy.

Regards,
Rex.

Rex,
That's quite impressive. I usually send my traps ahead with my man servant, rather than carry all that stuff around with me.
--Scott

[starbkjrus]

snip...

like not wearing fishnets and stilettos with a utilikilt...
...snip

Now there is an image I could have done without......