Sporran

Sporran. It's one of those strange words that everyone has heard about but not many people could identify positively. Outside of Scotland that is.
In his homeland, as a key element of the national dress of Scotland, the sporran is revered as much as the haggis or scotch whiskey. But what is it exactly?

A sporran is the pouch worn hanging on the front of the skirt (the word simply means purse or pouch in Gaelic). It hangs from the sturdy leather belt that provides the kilt in place. As kilts have no pockets, the sporran was developed for the Scotsman to store his belongings.
Other than that use pure utility, the sporran adds a bit of style too, especially if decorated or decorated in clan.

Sporrans originated as a buckskin bag which contained ammunition or daily rations for Highland warriors. Records dating from the 12th century describe them with a small bag attached to the front of their bodies. The sporran true, however, has not emerged after the kilt was developed in the 16th century.

Over the centuries, sporrans became more elaborate. Leather has been replaced by the badger, seal or ermine skins and they were equipped with clips copper or silver, sometimes with fancy designs. Sometimes acorns fox or horse hair were added.

The opening of the sporran, known as cantle, was attached to the top by leather straps. A vestige of this design remains in the modern sporran in the form of fringe leather and chains.

The modern sporran is now a very decorative accessory worn for formal occasions like weddings and holidays.

Sporrans are of three general types. sporrans day clothes are made of leather and are worn as street clothes. Dress sporrans are more elaborate. They are made from sealskin, rabbit, badger or otter. These are only worn for formal events. Finally, there sporrans semi dress that are a mixture of both.

And how are sporrans worn? Sporrans are worn on the front of the skirt in the center of the body. The top is placed a hand width below the belt buckle. Some labels apply to sporran behavior for formal occasions. For example, when sitting for dinner, the wearer should move his sporran to an unencumbered hip. This allows him to place a napkin and keeps the sporran out of harm's way.
Meanwhile for traditional dancing, the sporran belt should be turned up a few notches.

With its centuries-old tradition, you'd think the sporran was untouchable. But sporran wearers got a shock recently. The new legislation introduced in Scotland this year required carriers to have permits for their sporrans. The law aims to protect endangered species like otters, whose fur is sometimes used to sporrans. The legislation applies to animals killed after 1994. To obtain a license, applicants must prove that the animal was killed lawfully.

A famous bearer of the screen legend Sean Connery is sporran. The Scottish actor was presented with a silver sporran on a visit to Edinburgh last year. It was donated to the Edinburgh Festival with instructions to establish a new price.

While the future of the sporran? Nowadays, even in Scotland itself, traditional dress, including the sporran is reserved for weddings, funerals and other special events. But the Scots are very proud of their heritage. And as an element that enhances the genuine traditions of Highland culture, the sporran is likely to be worn for a long time to come.