Early Sporrans

and Sporran Belts

The sporran is the leather bag or purse that male Scots hang over the front of their kilts as part of the traditional highland wear outfit. The sporran was originally developed because the kilt had no pockets and the Scots, like everyone else, needed somewhere to put stuff.

Worn by clansmen including the sometime outlaw and hero Rob Roy MacGregor, the early sporran was a capacious pouch made of deer or calf skin drawn close to the waist by a thick belt that could take some weight. This is the style of the SP1 and SP2 at the bottom of this page.

A highlander on the march would take his gunshot and also his day's food (dry oatmeal, which he would mix with water at mealtime)  in his sporran. It is said that Montrose's men several times marched sixty miles in one day on this oatmeal ration, and were fit for  battle at the end of the trip. We do not have reports of modern-day Celts who have done this, but perhaps the matter of oatmeal for energy should be looked into.

Following the bloody defeat of Charles Edward Stewart at Culloden in 1746, the wearing of all highland dress was banned until 1782, although it could be worn locally by members of the armed forces.

After that dark period, there was an increase in interest in wearing of the tartan, from both a political and romantic point of view, reaching a height of enthusiasm under Queen Victoria, who was greatly in favor of all things highland. This led to the modern style of sporran which, admittedly, is not quite as functional as its historical predecessors, as it doesn't hold as much. This does not greatly bother modern Celts, who do at least keep their money in it, as we can attest from selling items to them at many highland games.

We currently offer only the historical style of sporran.

Our stock of sporrans and belts are offered at a good price, as they were bought when the British pound was a lot lower against the dollar than it is now. We plan to discontinue these when current stocks run out.

Historical Styles

If you are putting together a historical highland outfit, you would find either of the sporrans below to be suitable. Or, if you simply want to wear a sporran that is useful, and not dressy, these would work well.

Both SP1 and SP2 are made in Scotland. The back and top flap are made of one piece of heavy cowhide folded over; the front of these sporrans is a piece of flexible leather that is closed or opened by a drawstring. The drawstring is held closed by a black-colored ball, an ingenious device hidden under the flap in the picture. The ball has a locked spring button that loosens its grip on the drawstring when you press the button, and you can then move the ball along the string.
A leather string closes the flap by looping over a cowhide button in front.
There is the standard holder for belt or chain on the back of these, a bow to  modern times.
The flexible leather front opens outward, and the manufacturer guarantees that you can get a lot of stuff into these sporrans!

SP1. Plain Rob Roy sporran, machine stitching both on flap and all around edges, attaching front piece of leather to the cowhide. 7 1/2"high, 7 1/2" wide. Black. $84

SP2. Laced Rob Roy sporran, probably our most authentic style. This sporran has leather lacing all around the flap, and also around the rest of the sporran, attaching the front leather to the back cowhide piece. (They did not have sewing machines in Rob Roy's day.) Otherwise, this one is made just like the SP3 above.)7 1/2" high x 7 1/2" wide. $115

Sporran Belt and Chain

SB1(left, below). Sporran chain with black leather. Made in Scotland. Sizes S, M, L, XL. $14
SB2 (right, below). Black leather sporran belt. Made in Scotland. Sizes L, XL. $14

We have one sporran belt, real leather, made in Scotland, that is all one piece. The belt itself goes through the belt holder on the back of the sporran. Size XL, 61" long overall. $14

These styles not available.

Ordering information and Order form

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The Harp and Dragon
25 Madison St, Cortland, NY 13045 USA
Tel 607-756-7372   Fax/Ans mach 607-756-0366