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

[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.

[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

[Dirka Skene]

I think that's a great idea. It should catch on quite nicely. Fashionable, functional, casual sporrans for everyday use.

[Twa_Corbies]

I have to admit that I'm not all that impressed by the more recent trends in sporrans. While we have dealt with ugly sporrans for quite some time (ever since the idea of "decorating" the face of a daywear leather sporran with a bit of hairy cow-hide to produce a "semi-dress" sporran that is asthetically unsuitable for all occassions), we are now faced with the issue of avant guard modern-art sporrans that look like a techno-punk fashion accessory, along with the rather obsolete looking Jacobite reinactment sporrans for those who want to carry their car keys and wallet around in what looks like something purchashed from a Rennassaince festival; and then there are the ebay sporrans made in Pakistan - the leather day-wear versions of which all seem to be available only in black (a bit formal a color for casual day dress), and the evening versions of which are all made from cheaply stitched together rabbit-fur with stamped tin cantles.

Sadly, it seems that no one is now producing the type of sporrans that have survived and been handed down for generations among the Highland lairds and gentlemen of the clans back home, of which the following are some excellent examples:







The following examples from The Mad Piper are the closest I could find to the traditional designs:

[JSFMACLJR]

It can be quite a challenge to find nice, top quaity sporrans nowadays. The Fergusson Britt sporrans are extremely nice ( although I do not as yet have one ). If you are willing to pay top dollar, you can have an evening sporran made. I had one made for me by Caledonian Crafts a couple of years ago:



I am delighted with this sporran!

At one time Cuillinn Craft ( http://cuillinn.com/highland.html ) made very beautiful day sporrans. I am not sure if they still do. Here are a couple of pictures of their sporrans:




As you have shown, House of Labhran from time to time has absolutely beautiful sporrans. It would be nice if a craftsman could make these again.

Kind regards,
Sandford MacLean

[Twa_Corbies]

Those are all very nice indeed. I am impressed with Fergusson Britt's sporrans - particularly when he makes them using metal cantles as I have seen pictured elsewhere here on another thread. I recently acquired a well-made but rather plain old-style brass cantle sporran that has an actual working catch closure, which I bought on ebay. Unfortunately it is so narrow I can't get my hand in it, and though well-made, I have considered asking Mr. Britt if he could fit it with a new (roomier) bag. I think it would make a nice traditional day wear sporran if given a few tassels.