I think you've made up your mind, and I'd have to agree with the direction in which you're going. I'm still a neophyte at this but your experiences are largely similar to my own.

I've had a Bear PV for a couple of years and loved it. I wanted something else, and as soon as one of the guys posted the picture of the weathered Lamont, I knew I had to have it. Well, I've got it and I love it. There may be some downsides, but none of them apply to me. And if it turns out that it's something that doesn't work for you, it won't be too hard to get rid of it. I just bought an Irish National SWK from Mark off this board, and he didn't have it up there too long

As for the sporran, I posed that same question just after I ordered the kilt. Definitely brown. Oddly enough, I picked up a brown Buzz Kidder (this one but in brown) from Charlie off this board as well.

Good luck with whatever you do.