Nothing gets the attention of visitors to our Canongate shop like the fur and leather pouches hanging on our walls.
‘Are they handbags?’
GNK: ‘No, they’re sporrans.’
‘What’s does ‘sporran’ mean…?’
GNK: ‘Well, actually, it’s Gaelic for ‘purse’.’
‘So they’re purses…?’
GNK: ‘No, they’re sporrans.’
‘But what IS a sporran?’
GNK: ‘Excellent question.’
Sporrans are pockets. Pockets for kilts. Because kilts don’t have pockets. You see? They serve as a wallet and a container for any other necessary personal items. Lighter, hip flask, lucky Lego man - feel free to get creative. Unlike pockets, however, sporrans sit at the front. Over what we delicately refer to as your groin, area or, erm, bits. Sporrans today are typically worn on a chain, although older styles may hang from a leather strap or kilt belt.
Made of leather, fur and metal (although not necessarily all three at the same time) sporrans should be matched to your shoes and the formality of your outfit. Happily, they are broken down into handy categories to ensure you get the right one for the occasion.