Is there any meaning to the type of fur on your sporran

**azwildcat96** · 22nd February 10, 02:35 PM

I know that there is a level of personal preference in the style of sporran worn, and that certain occasions and times of day or night dictate the type of sporran worn (i.e. casual/day, semi-formal or formal). And, I understand that seal was the traditional fur/material used in making sporrans.

Does anyone have any information or history on what wearing one type of fur means as compared to another? Is there anything more to the selection of fur (class systems, clan ranking, nobility, or anything like this)...(beaver vs. fox, bovine vs. rabbit/hare, horse vs. goat, etc., the options are seemingly endless)...or is it just a personal preference?

Just curious...

**Paul Henry** · 22nd February 10, 03:02 PM

I;m sure there are lots of reasons, but perhaps,

Availability of animals/ native to the area could be one
Showing ones wealth could be another
Personal preference might be the simplest!

**MacAngus** · 22nd February 10, 03:16 PM

I think that only went for the military as far as style goes argyll & sutherland highlanders officers wore a swingin six badger head sporran with six tassels.
RSDG Pipers had the best in my opinion a Dark gray horse hair with three black tassels.
It seems the military are the only sporrans which mean something.
Often on the cantles they will have certain campaigns they fought in.

**Downunder Kilt** · 22nd February 10, 03:16 PM

paulhenry has got it spot on IMHO

For the general masses there are no rules on what your sporran can be made of (except for skins that are illegal, of course)

**fluter** · 22nd February 10, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

... Availability of animals/ native to the area ... could be one

Around here the full-mask opossum would surely be the classic regional variant! And something of a fashion statement, as you know if you've met one in person.

The next most familiar is the raccoon. Occasionally we get an infestation of beavers, but I don't think harvesting them is the done thing; nor have I the inclination or expertise.

In terms of personal preference I have a fondness for muskrat, but mink is the current favorite.

**Ryan Ross** · 22nd February 10, 05:19 PM

I don't know what these guys are talking about! Fur choice means everything!

You take me, for example- I wear skunk. As a result, anyone in the know can tell three things, just by looking at me.

1. I have awesome style.
2. I'm smelly.
3. I have a great sense of humor.

**NewGuise** · 22nd February 10, 07:06 PM

I have two fur sporrans. One is ideologic sealskin: while I have known many anti-fur types, I have also known folks who rely on the hunting of seals for meat as well as for fur; I have never known anyone who killed a baby seal (illegal since 1976, but still pictured on PETA posters). My other is bovine, because I like it. My parents raised sheep and goats, not cattle, so I should perhaps have gone in that direction, but I have spent much time on a dairy farm, and the sporran does remind me somewhat of an udder ...

**mull** · 22nd February 10, 07:32 PM

This made me wonder. If horse hair and goat sporrans are made, did people also use the long hair from highland cattle hides? ( I have not seen one)

And why not sheep hide with the hair on, similar to goat? Surely some sheep would occasionaly drop off a hill unsheared on occasion.
Joe

**thescot** · 22nd February 10, 08:18 PM

I think that the fur usually is termed "slow beaver."

**Smayniac** · 22nd February 10, 08:26 PM

I have badger, although not as imposing as an A&S sporran; I suppose you could call him a starter sporran. I'd like an American badger, a possum and a skunk; I do say hello sporran when I see a raccoon cross in front of my car, but I haven't yet punched the pedal to catch one. I do think it's about preference and attitude.

Bob