Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 37 on 20/03/2008.

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Everything you need to know about... sporrans

Sporan is the Gaelic word for a purse or pouch, and the sporran, as we know it today, is a relatively ‘modern’ and largely decorative addition to Highland dress. The outfit of long ago was the belted plaid, where a purse made of deerskin or calfskin was attached at the waist, often at the side, to carry money or personal items.

With the arrival of the ‘little kilt’ in the Victorian era, the impracticality of not having trouser pockets was overcome by stringing a small leather bag over the hips to hang in front. A leather belt of chain is usually employed, fastening at the rear of the wearer.

Most modern kilts have loops at the back through which belts or sporran chains can be threaded.

When wearing a kilt during the day at a Scottish gathering or wedding, it is customary to wear a tweed jacket and make use of a plain, unpretentious sporran of brown or black leather. These can be flat and tooled, or take the form of a baggy pouch. The flat version sometimes has celtic knots embossed upon it, and often there are three leather tassles attached to the front.

The hand-sewn, more traditional Rob Roy sporran, baggy and tied at the opening with a drawstring, sometimes contains a small purse within it. This style is particularly ideal for carrying a small flask of Scotch whisky.

Never underestimate what a Scotsman keeps in his sporran! An 18th century sporran on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh features a clasp of brass and steel concealing four pistols ins.....

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By Sally Toms

Section : Scotland Life

Page number : 74