Not a piper but like the look of a horse hair sporran

[sevenoaks]

Now I have gone and done it! I purchased a horse hair sporran and now I wonder if it is acceptable to wear it. I am not a piper but my father was and I am not associated with the military.
When could I wear it or do I just hang it on my wall along with some swords, knives and old maps I have?

[Nick the DSM]

Go ahead. It used to be common wear back in the Victorian era.

[Muddy]

Wear it.

[Tobus]

The native Scots will tell you that it's "just not done" in Scotland today. Nobody wears horse hair sporrans except the military and pipers. That seems to be the situation with modern Highland traditionalism.

However, I have seen at least one Scotsman wearing one. He was an official at a Highland Games in Scotland. So it would be very rare and likely frowned upon in typical dour Scottish disapproval, but it's not unheard of.

As mentioned, hair sporrans have a very rich history for civilian wear, dating back to the Victorian era, and seemed to die out during the Edwardian era. There are folks who would like to revive this tradition, including me! It's not an everyday sporran, though. I mainly wear mine with evening dress, although I'd certainly consider wearing it for very dressy daywear, under the right circumstances.

[Thomas H]

There is alot of people wearing them in Georgia . mostly daywear styles.
I am currently making a brown and black horse hair sporran now and I would be hard pressed to wear it when ever and how ever .

As long as the crest (if one ) is not Military . you should be ok to wear it
Have fun

[Chas]

I have five, but only one that is descent. The other four have shed so much that they are only good for keeping and looking at.

I wear mine for special evening events. Normally I wear a 'working' sporran for Scottish Country Dancing, but at the end of each term we hold a tartan social and everybody makes an effort. That's when I wear mine.

Regards

Chas

[JohntheBiker]

I have one (vintage 50+ years, but in good shape) and I'm planning to wear it to the St. Andrew's Ball this year. I wouldn't likely wear it for anything but formal.

[tulloch]

If you like it and feel comfortable with it then use it. If the hair is quite long it might get snagged in things. A friend of mine has only an ex-band sporran - white long horsehair with two black hair tassels. Very small compartment though.

[thescot]

If you like it and feel comfortable with it then use it. If the hair is quite long it might get snagged in things. . . .

I agree. If you are the only one with a hair sporran, then you'll be the only one. Unless that really bothers you, then it shouldn't bother you. :-)

I have one that I need to modify by removing and replacing a Canadian regimental badge before wearing, but I am definitely going to wear it one day soon. Although I am pretty conservative and traditional in my sartorial tastes and prectices, I do venture out a bit now and then. And I recommend it.

[Mike_Oettle]

Isn’t it just like the native Scots to invent new rules that make us, the kilt-wearers of the rest of the world, look stupid.
While I would not personally want to wear a horse-hair sporran (not, at any rate, a white one with black tails like those the officers in my regiment wore, since I was not an officer), it is a style anyone may adopt on appropriate occasions.
The only reason for a civilian not to wear one is when it has badging that identifies it with a particular regiment.
For myself, I am looking at the idea of using a long, hairy sporran made of mohair.
Regards,
Mike