Horse Hair Sporrans

For the visual effect on the march. Long hair swings with each step, and across a front rank moving in time that produces a single unified motion which is a large part of why a band looks impressive from the crowd. A shorter sporran simply does not move enough to read at distance. It is a display piece doing a display job.

Yes, but only with formal evening dress. It is the most decorative sporran in Highland dress, so it belongs with a Prince Charlie or a formal Argyll after dark and nowhere else. Worn with a casual or utility kilt in daylight it reads as costume immediately. If you want something formal but less theatrical, take a full dress sporran.

If you are buying for a band, whichever the band specifies, and confirm the cantle finish at the same time. Buying independently, white reads strongest against dark setts and is the most traditional on parade, black gives a heavier and more restrained line, and mixed hair sits between the two. Match the cantle metal to the rest of your metalwork either way.

Hang it, never box it, because crushed hair takes a long time to recover and sometimes does not. Brush gently downward in the direction of the hair with a soft brush to lift and separate it before wearing. Keep it entirely away from damp and never use heat to dry it. Untangle by hand rather than pulling a brush through a knot.

A little at first, which is normal and settles after a few wearings. Brush gently downward rather than pulling, and untangle knots by hand instead of forcing a brush through them. Persistent heavy shedding usually means the sporran has been stored crushed or has been damp, both of which are avoidable.

Heavier than a leather sporran and the weight sits low, which is what produces the swing on the march. Over a long parade this is noticeable, so check the belt is properly tightened. For anything other than band use or formal evening wear, a lighter full dress sporran is easier to wear.