Seal skin sporrans?

**sfb** · 25th March 10, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by MacRobert's Reply

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg backed the ban on the use of seal products by a majority of 550 to 49. Individual EU nations are endorsing the decision. The UK is scheduled to enact the ban in August this year. The implications for sporran makers, retailers and hire companies in Scotland are not yet clear. It is probable that making sporrans from sealskin will be completely banned. However, it seems likely that sporrans already made can be sold or hired. How this will be policed is not clear. Perhaps we will need to carry evidence that our sporrans predate the ban.

I'm sufficiently sad/bored/odd that I tried to find out if anybody knows what'll actually happen. Going by this excerpt from Scottish Parliamentary questions last year...it doesn't look like it.

"Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the concerns of the Highland dress and tartan sectors about the implications of the recent vote by MEPs to prevent the manufacture and sale of sealskin products.

Jim Mather: The proposal to ban trade in seal products across the EU is a reserved matter. There will not be a total ban on sealskins in sporrans under the proposals. Inuit products from seals, sourced using traditional methods could still be traded. Also, non-commercial seal products which are by-products of marine management could still be used. There has been widespread concern about the inhumane nature of many seal hunts and the Scottish Government supports the tightening of trade in seal products. However, it also supports measures allowing sporrans manufactured in Scotland to be made from seal skins in a traditional way.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what it envisages that the financial implications will be for the Highland dress and tartan industry of the recent vote by MEPs to prevent the manufacture and sale of sealskin products.

Jim Mather: We have indication that the industry will consider alternatives, such as using bovine hides, pony skins, rabbit furs or synthetic materials for the manufacture of sporrans. Our important export markets for sporrans in the United States will not be affected, as seal skins are already banned in the US. Therefore we envisage that the financial implications will be minimal."

I have to say I was under the impression that the intention was for the legislation to be retrospective, and would catch all seal products, not just "new ones", but I'm no' sure where I heard that.

Still, there'll clearly be plenty work for the Sporran Polis, whatever happens.

**Bugbear** · 25th March 10, 06:21 PM

I think if I were ever going to get a sporran, I would get a full mask skunk sporran, and not worry about all this silver and seal or fake silver and fake seal business.

**ccga3359** · 25th March 10, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Just as an aside, I remember a lot of references to sealskin coats being popular back in the early part of the twentieth century...I'm trying to find some references that will give me a more specific timeline but they're just not popping out. Just thought that it would help date the point at which the fur became popular.

Best

AA

Can't give a time line but can say it is for insulation purposes. Inuit wouldn't be caught dead outside without wearing seal skin. The time you give, of course, predates synthetic insulating materials but even the modern materials don't hold a candle to seal skin clothing. This has nothing to do with the use of seal skin for sporrans. Perhaps it's because you can get quite a lot of sporrans from one seal pelt, you'd need about 3 - 4 decent sized haggis to make just one sporran.. McMurdo brough comparitively looking sporrans to a kilt night once bovine and seal skin. The bovine had quite course fur whereas the seal was so soft.

**Highland Logan** · 26th March 10, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew M. Stewart

Does anyone know when the ban takes effect? I'm wondering if L&M are going to keep making them since they are based in Canada.

L&M Highland Outfitters are forum members, just ask them.

Frank

**Highland Logan** · 26th March 10, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

Inuit wouldn't be caught dead outside without wearing seal skin.

I was in the Artic (Baffin Island) in '92 as part of a sovereignty excercise with the CF. I can say with some certainty that unless a film crew is filming, only the older generation wear seal, the rest wear modern stuff, not that it's better.

Frank

**artificer** · 26th March 10, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

I think if I were ever going to get a sporran, I would get a full mask skunk sporran, and not worry about all this silver and seal or fake silver and fake seal business.

I've got a local raccoon, who, should I be lucky enough to get a crack at it, will end up as my full mask.

**auld argonian** · 26th March 10, 06:46 AM

I realized that one of the reasons why I have such trepidations about wearing any of these critters is that I was brought up with "Wind In The Willows" and I would hate to think that I was wearing Mole, Ratty, Badger or Otter as a sporran.

I do, however, realize that there are an awful of of people out there who have boats moored in marinas that are overrun by aquatic mammals that would love to have a sporran maker find raw materials in their area...

Best

AA

**Riverkilt** · 26th March 10, 07:27 AM

I'm kinda uneducated here...is there some long standing historic Scottish tradition of wearing sealskin sporrans...??

Or are/were sealsking sporrans just a fashion thing?

**thescot** · 26th March 10, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

I think if I were ever going to get a sporran, I would get a full mask skunk sporran, and not worry about all this silver and seal or fake silver and fake seal business.

Well, Ted, that just stinks.

I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. All this gravity was about to kill me.