horse hair sporran only for pipers???

**Kilted Christian** · 13th July 07, 02:03 PM

Yes, I've understood that the length of the piper horsehair sporran is also to balance out the rest of the ensemble - the full regalia. To this end, you might want an nicely balanced horsehair like in Matt's photo. I think this is like other aspects of Highland style clothing; go with what you like if you follow the basic rules. I don't think automatic no-no on horsehair unless you're a piper is a basic rule.

**Gary Krueger** · 13th July 07, 04:40 PM

Our band Cabar Feidh Pipes and Drums wears what is known as "summer military" an open collar tan short sleeve navy uniform shirt (with our military ribbons on the left and our band ribbons on the right we don't ever mix military and civilian) Glengarry with Cock's feather, Horsehair Sporan (thank goodness that our kiltmaker put a small pocket on the face of Kilt's the under apron.) Matching tartan style socks with green flashes, spats and comfortable shoes. Of course our kilts This is generally worn for parades.

For competions and other gigs we wear day wear. Glengarry with black hackle, Argyle jacket, vest, White military shirt with black tie, Dayware sporran, white hose with green flashes, gillies. and of course our kilts.

When going out I wear my muted Ross Weathered hunting and a tweed jacket...actually it's my picture above left. Black shirt, and black tie, black hose with tartan flashes and comfortable shoes.

As long as you are happy and look good...what the heck, eh?

**KiltedKop45** · 13th July 07, 10:46 PM

I'm really getting alot out of this thread. I have not had the occasion to go formal YET, But I already have a Beautiful white Angora sheep sporran with black horsehair tassels. I plan on wearing it when I go to Dumfries next year for the Burns Supper. Thanks for all the advise.

. I agree with most of the others. Find a fur sporran that will not overpower your wardrobe, and by all means get one with a pouch or you will have to ask your Wife/ date to hold all of your things for you.

**Nervous Jock** · 14th July 07, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by KiltedKop45

will have to ask your Wife/ date to hold all of your things for you.

Keep your hands on your money

**beloitpiper** · 10th December 08, 08:07 PM

My horse hair sporran has a pocket, which I really like. But as it's been said, a lot of the old, long sporrans are goat hair. Also, if you'll notice, piper's horse hair sporrans are cut straight across at the bottom, whereas the old goat hair sporrans are left to hang naturally, almost coming to a point in the center. In my eyes, this is the biggest difference between "piper" and "civilian".

**george7** · 10th December 08, 08:48 PM

My horsehair sporran is "non-functional", but it just looks super snazzy with a military-style uniform.

**PiobBear** · 11th December 08, 04:22 AM

Is there really any way to tell if one has a pocket or not?

I would assume that any contemporary one does not (the tiny pocket on the back is for the tassel rings, so they don't snag your kilt).

**McFarkus** · 11th December 08, 08:20 AM

I picked one up on ebay recently that has the small back pocket.

I agree with others in this thread that I don't like the look of a lot of fur sporrans, but I DO like the Fergusson Brit sporrans from Matt Newsome

As well as the Thorfinn fur sporrans

I already own the FB natural Canadian beaver sporran above, and have commissioned Turpin to make me on like the badger pictured here.

**MarkMWE** · 11th December 08, 12:31 PM

I currently have two horsehair sporrans, one with a small pocket and a vintage one without. By all means, get one with a pocket, even if it's the small, flap type... at least you can put a car key and some folding money in it. When I'm on parade I generally have to wear a leather "cartridge case" in the small of my back to hold my keys, cell phone, flask, emergency bagpipe supplies, etc.
However, I've just run across some horsehair sporrans at the webstore "Glengarry Hats" that have FULL pouches: http://www.glengarryhats.com/sporran...me5f7u0k3ok5e3
I'll be putting one my NEXT Christmas wish list...

**McFarkus** · 11th December 08, 02:58 PM

Here are the two I got recently that were part of a Live Ebay auction lot of sporrans

The first is one I plan to wear - it's smaller than many, about 8" x 15"

The second I would classify as a child's sporran (5* x 10"). It's nice, but I'm not sure what I'll do with it.