Long Goat and Horse Hair Sporrans

[Rex_Tremende]

Great photos-- a quick check on ebay today (27 SEPT 09) revealed no fewer than four "antique" goat and horse hair sporrans for under $350. Much better than one of those ubiquitous bits of bunny fur, in my opinion!

So, the moral of the story here is that while it won't cost you an arm and a leg to buy one, wearing one might cost you your head?



Regards,
Rex.

[Chas]

They look very different from each other....the goat ones are much shorter "fur" that is wavy and more scraggly looking with an uneven bottom on them. Horsehair sporrans generally are much longer (extending to nearly the bottom of the kilt) and are almost always cut flat across the bottom.

I have a horse-hair sporran with two danglers and I always imagined that a goats-hair sporran would be the same. I see, I will have to go somewhere for a bit of 'hands on'. Thanks for the info.

Regards

Chas

[Phil]

They certainly make a statement but you rarely see them nowadays. I wonder why they became less fashionable?

[Bigkahuna]

From what I can see, a number of sporrans in the pictures appear to be of military origin. Is it common in Scotland for veterans to wear their sporrans in civilian kit???

[Galician]

I'd almost say forget the sporrans, how many men wear matching tartan jackets???

[JSFMACLJR]

From what I can see, a number of sporrans in the pictures appear to be of military origin. Is it common in Scotland for veterans to wear their sporrans in civilian kit???

Most of the sporrans I have shown are purely civilian.

[JSFMACLJR]

I'd almost say forget the sporrans, how many men wear matching tartan jackets???

Well, I do for one.

[JSFMACLJR]

They certainly make a statement but you rarely see them nowadays. I wonder why they became less fashionable?

Most of these pics, Phil, were taken in the past 2 or 3 years--very recent. Some were taken at the Oban Ball, some at the Skye Balls. At the events I attend, I would estimate that 20% wear hair sporrans. Not insignificant.

[Jock Scot]

Most of these pics, Phil, were taken in the past 2 or 3 years--very recent. Some were taken at the Oban Ball, some at the Skye Balls. At the events I attend, I would estimate that 20% wear hair sporrans. Not insignificant.

I am afraid that these words are just observations from a past life, as I no longer go to balls and high powered dinner dances, but there was a time not too long ago when I did. Sandy is right, most of these hair sporrans were civilian not military and most, not all, had their grandfather's or great grandfather's crest on it! I am not sure what the heraldic experts made of all that, but no one seemed too bothered.Of course many would have succeeded to the title, or crest, or both, I suppose. I cannot ever remember anyone saying "what do you think of my new sporran?" So I always assumed that they were heirlooms, like mine. Of course, in true British style, it is very bad form to have anything new and if you do, you never ever admit to it!

As to tartan jackets,I think it is fair to say that the Western Highlands and a certain part of Kentucky, is the place to see most of them. Not for me though, as they do seem rather loud.

[cavscout]

Another of the Chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat with Lady Saltoun Chief of the whole Name and Arms of Fraser.