Bagpipe Sporran

 What’s in your sporran?

“Sporan” is the Gaelic word for purse. Although not initially percentage of Highland Dress, they have become an integral part of the ensemble.  It has made a big transformation from the little purse of deerskin that employed to hang at the waist. There are now numerous varieties available: Leather sporrans with ornamental cantles and tassels; Horsehair for those who like the swish as they march; for the fur lovers, badger, calf, rabbit, muskrat, sealskin, or full mask sporrans. The possibilities are endless.

There have been a heap of incorrect conceptions in regards to the sporran.  Some believed that it was armour for the groin. This is commonly confused with the studded apron that may be found on the Roman sword belt. This Roman belt is now and again referred to as a sporran or a groin guard, but is unquestionably dissimilar than the Scottish Sporran.  Some also believed  that a sporran keeps the front of the kilt down while doing energetic movements. The kilt actually has a double flap that crosses from left to right, and was primary designed to stay down without the support of a sporran.

Many ask the question “what’s under your kilt?” but have you ever asked what’s in your sporran? For many, it acts as a pocket or a wallet, keeping cash and car keys, but for a lot of it may hold a lot more. There are some Scots who carry a little flask of whisky in their sporran. Some pipers carry extra reeds or maintenance items in their sporran- hemp, tape, whatsoever they may need at a performance or competition. Historically, a sporran could carry one’s feed rations for the day. One sporran in the National Museum in Edinburgh has a cantle with 4 concealed pistols!

So when choosing your sporran, don’t only think regarding what it looks like, but what you might want to put into it.

Bagpipe Sporran Photo

Bagpipe Sporran Picture

Bagpipe Sporran Picture

Bagpipe Sporran Image