| an. It's one of those strange words that | | | | informal dress. Dress sporrans are more |
| everyone's heard but not so many people could | | | | elaborate. They are made from sealskin, rabbit, |
| positively define. Outside of Scotland that is. | | | | badger or otter. These are worn purely for |
| Within its native land, as a key component of the | | | | formal events. Finally there are semi dress |
| national dress of Scotland, the sporran is revered | | | | sporrans which are a blend of the two. |
| as much as the haggis or scotch whiskey. But | | | | And how are sporrans worn? Sporrans are worn |
| what is it exactly? | | | | over front of the kilt in the centre of the body. |
| A sporran is the pouch worn hanging down at the | | | | The top is positioned a hand's breadth below the |
| front of the kilt (The word simply means purse or | | | | waist belt buckle. Certain etiquettes apply to |
| pouch in Gaelic). It hangs from the sturdy leather | | | | sporran behaviour for formal occasions. For |
| belt that secures the kilt in place. As kilts have no | | | | example, while sitting down to dine; the wearer |
| pockets, the sporran was developed for the | | | | should move his sporran to an unencumbered hip. |
| Scotsman to store his belongings. | | | | This allows him to place a napkin and keeps the |
| Other than this pure utilitarian use, the sporran | | | | sporran out of harm's way. |
| adds a bit of style too, especially if adorned or | | | | Meanwhile for traditional dancing, the sporran belt |
| decorated in clan colours. | | | | should be hiked up a few notches. |
| Sporrans originated as a doeskin bag which | | | | With its centuries-old tradition, you'd think the |
| contained ammunition or daily rations for Highland | | | | sporran was untouchable. But sporran wearers |
| warriors. Records dating back to the 12th century | | | | got a shock recently. New legislation introduced in |
| describe them with a small bag hanging at the | | | | Scotland this year required wearers to have |
| front of their bodies. The genuine sporran, | | | | licenses for their sporrans. The law is meant to |
| however, didn't come into being until after the kilt | | | | protect endangered species such as otters whose |
| was developed in the 16th century. | | | | fur is sometimes used to make sporrans. The |
| Over the centuries, sporrans became more | | | | legislation applies to animals killed after 1994. In |
| elaborate. Leather was replaced with badger, seal | | | | order to get a licence, applicants need to prove |
| or ermine skins and they were fitted with clasps | | | | that the animal was killed lawfully. |
| of brass or silver sometimes with fancy designs. | | | | A famous wearer of the sporran is screen legend |
| Sometimes tassels made of fox or horse hair | | | | Sean Connery. The Scottish actor was presented |
| were added. | | | | with a silver sporran on a visit to Edinburgh last |
| The opening of the sporran, known as the cantle, | | | | year. He donated it to the Edinburgh Film Festival |
| was attached to the top by leather thongs. A | | | | with instructions to set up a new award. |
| vestige of this design remains in the modern | | | | So what of the future of the sporran? Nowadays, |
| sporran in the form of the leather tassels and | | | | even in Scotland herself, traditional dress including |
| chains. | | | | the sporran is reserved for weddings, funerals |
| The modern sporran is now a highly ornamental | | | | and other special events. But the Scots are very |
| accessory worn for formal occasions such as | | | | proud of their heritage. And as an item that |
| weddings and national days. | | | | reinforces the genuine traditions of Highland |
| Sporrans are of three general types. Daywear | | | | culture, the sporran is likely to be worn for a long |
| sporrans are made of leather and are worn as | | | | time to come. |