X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 23

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    28th April 24
    Location
    Blue Bell, PA, ie Southeastern PA
    Posts
    108
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Regimental Sporrans

    My understanding is that sporrans with long horse hair tassels are associated with highland regiments. Seems questionable to wear one when I have no military experience. Any comment?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    7th February 11
    Location
    London, Canada
    Posts
    9,587
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    The fact that long hair sporrans have been part of many regimental uniforms does not mean that they were not part of civilian dress, in fact, there was a time when they were pretty well the norm.

    I wear one sometimes, and proudly!
    Rev'd Father Bill White: Mostly retired Parish Priest & former Elementary Headmaster. Lover of God, dogs, most people, joy, tradition, humour & clarity. Legion Padre, theologian, teacher, philosopher, linguist, encourager of hearts & souls & a firm believer in dignity, decency, & duty. A proud Canadian Sinclair with solid Welsh and other heritage.

  3. The Following 2 Users say 'Aye' to Father Bill For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Join Date
    2nd January 10
    Location
    Lethendy, Perthshire
    Posts
    4,765
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Definitely ot the case. Takea look at Macleay's Highlanders.

    https://www.staonlineshop.co.uk/cate...paintings.aspx

  5. The Following 2 Users say 'Aye' to figheadair For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Join Date
    28th April 24
    Location
    Blue Bell, PA, ie Southeastern PA
    Posts
    108
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Horse hair sporran

    Thanks, this was really helpful. Tempted to get a copy of the print of Andrew Murray since one of my clan lineages goes to an Andrew Murray though clearly not this one.

  7. #5
    Join Date
    13th June 07
    Location
    Hoschton, GA
    Posts
    629
    Mentioned
    13 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Horse Hair Sporrans

    I've always thought the horse hair sporrans were iconic traditional kilt wear, but saw them as being more formal attire. The men in Macleay's Highlanders are shown wearing horse hair sporrans with both formal and day wear kit. For those of you who own these equine sporrans, do you wear them as formal attire only, or with more casual day wear as well?
    Cheers,

    David
    “If you want people to speak kindly after you’re gone, speak kindly while you’re alive.”
    Bob Dylan

  8. The Following User Says 'Aye' to kiltedsawyer For This Useful Post:


  9. #6
    Join Date
    6th July 07
    Location
    The Highlands,Scotland.
    Posts
    15,798
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by kiltedsawyer View Post
    I've always thought the horse hair sporrans were iconic traditional kilt wear, but saw them as being more formal attire. The men in Macleay's Highlanders are shown wearing horse hair sporrans with both formal and day wear kit. For those of you who own these equine sporrans, do you wear them as formal attire only, or with more casual day wear as well?
    Cheers,

    David
    Good question!

    I await the replies with interest.
    " Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.

  10. #7
    Join Date
    2nd January 10
    Location
    Lethendy, Perthshire
    Posts
    4,765
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by kiltedsawyer View Post
    I've always thought the horse hair sporrans were iconic traditional kilt wear, but saw them as being more formal attire. The men in Macleay's Highlanders are shown wearing horse hair sporrans with both formal and day wear kit. For those of you who own these equine sporrans, do you wear them as formal attire only, or with more casual day wear as well?
    Cheers,

    David
    I unusual wear one with Black Tie, and a goat hair one with White Tie. For day wear I tend to wear lain leather, with or without a cantle, and sometimes fur.

  11. The Following 2 Users say 'Aye' to figheadair For This Useful Post:


  12. #8
    Join Date
    14th June 21
    Location
    Strathdon, Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    656
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by RGM1 View Post
    My understanding is that sporrans with long horse hair tassels are associated with highland regiments. Seems questionable to wear one when I have no military experience. Any comment?
    There is an association, to be sure. And with pipe-bands, too.

    But that is not to say that hair sporrans are out-of-bounds to civilians in any way.

    The 19th century saw many a civilian kiltie sporting a hair sporran, and the photographic evidence suggests that the strict day/evening or formal/informal classifications we now go by, were unknown back then.

    This picture has been shown on this forum before, but it serves the purpose again - even if there is a suspicion that it has been staged. Said to be a smith in Pitlochry, our fine fellow is sporting both a hair sporran and tartan hose.

    images.jpg

    There is an abundance of same era photos of ghillies and other equally down-to-earth professionals who are shown kilted with hair sporrans, going about their rough-and-ready activities.

    The white hair and dark tassel sporrans have a distinct 'dressy' look to them, but the dark hair versions - especially those with a leather cantle, such as the London Scottish use - lend themselves very well to informal daywear.

    If you fancy using one, why not..?

  13. #9
    Join Date
    29th August 24
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    175
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Troglodyte View Post
    ...

    images.jpg

    ...
    It seems to be universally accepted that a kilt should end somewhere between the top and the middle of the knee. But that kilt appears to end at the bottom of the knee, and it looks mighty fine in my opinion. I'm tempted to try a bottom-of-the-knee kilt. I do a lot of sitting, and a little extra length doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

    I know there are two schools of thought: If it's not traditional, it's wrong. Or do whatever you want, there are no rules. But at times I find myself torn between them. I don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing. But sometimes I know what I'm doing, I'm just choosing to ignore convention.

  14. #10
    Join Date
    2nd January 10
    Location
    Lethendy, Perthshire
    Posts
    4,765
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by User View Post
    It seems to be universally accepted that a kilt should end somewhere between the top and the middle of the knee. But that kilt appears to end at the bottom of the knee, and it looks mighty fine in my opinion. I'm tempted to try a bottom-of-the-knee kilt. I do a lot of sitting, and a little extra length doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

    I know there are two schools of thought: If it's not traditional, it's wrong. Or do whatever you want, there are no rules. But at times I find myself torn between them. I don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing. But sometimes I know what I'm doing, I'm just choosing to ignore convention.
    I would lay money on that kilt being a hand-me-down and not made for him. The length is therefore not an historically reliable guide.

    Oh and there are very definitely some rules, pleats at the front for example.

  15. The Following User Says 'Aye' to figheadair For This Useful Post:


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0