Ok so who are we? Well first and foremost, we are a Scottish site . All of our Sporrans, Kilt belts, ladies bags are born and crafted by a company called Robincraft, who are based near Edinburgh, capital city of Scoltand – where better to make Scottish products? Robincraft are well known and respected in the Scottish Highlandwear world for quality and service. Robincraft's quality is second to none, of that there is no doubt. Probably the best Sporran makers in the world.Sporran and Pouch is dedicated to providing premium quality goods, value for money, excellent customer service and fast delivery. We have been manufacturing sporrans etc for 11 years now.

All of our products are manufactured in Scotland , using only the finest quality materials and we pride ourselves on the attention to detail, which goes into every stage of the manufacturing process. We are a family business and and we all take great pride in producing all our products to the highest standard possible.

One of the reasons Sporran ansd Pouch use Robincraft, is that they try to buy  materials in Scotland where possible e.g. all the  belts are made from Scottish leather and where possible the cantles are also produced in Scotland ( the metal decoration at the top of a dress sporran)

Any skins that are used and indeed all the leather are all by-products of other industries. Nothing is killed for the specifically for producing sporrans etc.

So, any sporran or kilt belt you buy from us is made - to order - in these workshops. We can be contacted by phone, e-mail, or snail mail (post) and indeed please feel free to visit.

Robincraft can be described as leather workers first and sporran makers second. This means they can produce bespoke sporrans, bags etc in an individual way. They can also mass produce, but out of choice we prefer to work with our customer to produce items they want to sell. So any ideas you have, either phone or email and we can discuss details.

The site will give you an idea of what we are capable of producing, but please remember that if you require a special sporran or sporrans, dress, semi dress or casual, or perhaps a special leather belt or kilt belt or indeed a leather handbag with perhaps a hand knitted hand spun sweater, then please contact us and talk to us about it.

Recent Legislation and the Future

Do not worry about recent legislation about the skins used in sporrans – at least not from us. All the skins we use are from non endangered species. As we have said earlier nothing we use or indeed have ever used was killed specially for sporrans.

What the legislation is aimed at is the endangered and protected species like beaver or wildcat – it has been in place for a long time anyway, its just that recently it has been tightened up.

We are very concerned about possible bans coming on more common species of seal. To this end, we are trying to encourage our customers to move on to something that is environmentally friendlier like Bovine- or cowhide in its various forms and colours.

In other words, we are looking to the future and moving along with the times and encouraging our customers to do the same.

How the Sporran is Made

So just how is a sporran made? Well there are all sorts of different sporrans as you will have seen from the site. Its probably easier with a dress sporran.

After the skin has been chosen ( sealskin or plain leather etc ) it is cut out using a shaped cutter , as are all the bits and pieces required. The cantle or top is selected and then the assembly can begin.

A lot of attention is paid throughout all stages of cutting, assembly, and finishing. The gusset (helps to form the bag part) is prepared and sewn then this is attached (outside in) to the front peice of the sporran. The tassels are then made and attached. Then the back piece is attached and the sporran bag’s edges sewn and bound all in one operation.

Next the cantle is attached and basically that is it. Sounds simple eh? There is a lot of skill involved and I have made it sound very simple. Like anything else, it takes lots of practice and skill. The sporran is quality checked before it leaves the workshop.

The History of the Sporran

An essential piece of Highland dress to accompany a Scotsman’s kilt is the ornately decorated pouch that hangs down the front, commonly referred to as the sporran. But were did the sporran originate and what was its purpose?

As early as the twelfth century Highland warriors were described as being "bare-legged, with shaggy cloaks and a scrip [small bag] …” Such dress was, at that time, confined to the Highlands, as Scottish Lowlanders considered such apparel as barbarous, referring with contempt to their Highland kinsmen as “redshanks”!

Kilts of that time were very basic garments that required no tailoring and comprised a single piece of tartan cloth some two yards in width by four or six yards in length. This was commonly referred to as the Breacan, the Feileadh Bhreacain and the Feileadh Mor – or as the English called it The Big Kilt. It fell down to the knees and was secured over the left shoulder with a broach or pin and a tight belt gathered it all around the waist.

Such dress was ideally suited to the climate and terrain of the Highlands. It allowed freedom of movement, the tightly woven woollen cloth was warm and waterproof, unwrapped it could provide a voluminous cloak against the weather or a comfortable overnight blanket, it dried out quickly and with much less discomfort than trousers. But unlike trousers, the kilt could not provide pockets and so the sporran was born out of necessity. A survival of the medieval purse, the sporran was the Highlander's pocket they didn’t have.

Early sporrans were made from leather or skin, both deerskin and calfskin proved particularly popular. They were simple in design and usually gathered at the top by basic drawstrings or by thongs with small tassels. The Highlanders of the Western Isles often wore cloth pouches known as trews.

Original sporrans dating from the fourteenth century and onwards can be viewed at many Scottish museums. The history and evolution of the sporran can also be traced through early British military paintings and portraits of Highland soldiers; these later sporrans start to show more elaborate decoration.

From the late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century sporrans were generally fitted with metal clasps, usually made from brass, or for clan chiefs, occasionally silver. The elaborate metal workings of some of these clasps are indeed miniature works of art. The goat-haired, sporran molach or hairy sporran was introduced by the military in the eighteenth century. These sporrans often had flap-tops and large tassels and featured a variety of furs and hair such as fox and horse, or occasionally sealskin, all set off with a badger’s head.

But what is it that a Scotsman actually keeps in his sporran? Well, one sporran on display at the National Museum in Edinburgh features a clasp of brass and steel with four concealed pistols inside, the contraption being designed to be discharged should anybody attempt to open the locked purse, thus either killing or maiming the thief.

The modern sporran, or sporan - Gaelic, has evolved a long way from the doeskin bag containing ammunition or daily rations and many now feature stainless steel and even plastics! Despite modern enhancements however, sporrans retain their basic design principles and carry everything from the car keys to mobile phones.

The History Of The Sgian Dubh

The Sgian Dubh has a strong place in the history and hearts of all Scots. It developed over the centuries from a short utility knife but its historical and cultural importance stems from the period of proscription when Scots were forbidden arms and the wearing of the kilt.

Sgian is the Gaelic general word for "blade" or "knife" and is applied to everyday items. For example penknife is "Sgian-phocaid". Dubh is translated from Gaelic as black, darkness or hidden and it is this word which evokes the true history of this unique item.

The short utility knife was ideal for personal protection and during the ban on arms it became common practice to conceal this weapon in a secret pocket under the armpit.The custom developed whereby the Scots knew that each carried their "sgian dubh" and as a mark of respect and openness the custom developed of wearing it in the hose top when in the presence of friends.

Today the Sgian Dubh is an indispensable accessory and there are 2 different types.

The "Day sgian dubh" bears a strong resemblance to the ancient utility knife and is generally wood or horn handle with a leather sheath.

The "dress sgian dubh" has become more embellished over the years and the variations are

Order your Sgian Dubh in the Accessories section of our on-line shop.

Clan Insignia And Symbols Of Rank

Apart from tartan, the commonest external symbols of clan affiliation are bonnet badges and the eagles' feathers often associated with them. Bonnet badges take the form of the chief's crest encircled with the representation of a strap and buckle bearing the motto. The badge is generally made of silver or a silver coloured base metal. A sprig of the plant associated with the clan could be worn behind the badge if so desired. Armigers may wear the simple strap and buckle badge if they so please, but are also entitled to wear their own crest within a plain circlet bearing their motto. The are entitled to display one eagle's feather either real or represented in metal. A chieftain may again wear the simple strap and buckle badge of his own crest within a circlet with motto. He may display two eagle's feathers. Chiefs wear their crest within a plain circlet with motto, and display three eagle's feathers. Circlets may be surmounted by any coronet or cap of rank to which the bearer may be entitled, or omitted entirely as a matter of personal taste.

There is a case to be made out for wearing of eagle's feathers by clan commanders, commissioners and lieutenants. These feathers would be marks of delegated authority and not of individual rank. The feathers would be worn only when performing the duties delegated to the officer by his commission and strictly within the limits of those duties. Two eagle's feathers would seem appropriate to represent the delegated or substituted authority granted to such persons to carry out their necessary duties on behalf of the chief himself.

The feathers would be worn with the strap and buckle badge only or perhaps even a special variant of this designating the office of the wearer, and not with any personal crest badge of the office bearer, in order to distinguish them from those entitled to two eagle feathers by rank. The wearing of eagle's feathers is not a matter regulated either by the ordinary law of the land or the Law of Arms. The principles set out are accordingly those governed by custom, practice and to a large degree, simple good taste. The display of any number of eagle's feathers to which the bearer is not entitled is unwise.

The impostor exposes himself to ridicule and demonstrates a profound lack of respect for the system to which he pretends adherence.

The History Of Tartan

When people think of tartan today most think of the colourful pattern of the cloth as worn by Scottish clan members. Many of the current clan tartans are, however, of quite recent design many dating from just the 19th century. Prior to this tartan was certainly worn by the Scots - the earliest recorded tartan was found buried in the ground near Falkirk and dates back over seventeen hundred years. Although there is much evidence of tartans been worn prior to the eighteenth century - the wearing of tartan was banned after 1745 - by no means every clan wore tartan. Tartan was a distinctive form of identity enabling friend or foe to be recognised but other forms of identity - flags, standards, shields, feathers and plants were often employed. The majority of the early tartans were quite muted in colour - often using undyed wool - and of simple design in comparison with recent patterns. It was only with development of dying processes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that the vibrant colouring of many modern tartans became possible. It was during the early part of the nineteenth century that some of the larger mills in Scotland developed the commercial potential of tartan. Pattern books of many different designs were put together by the mills and tartans were sold to many regiments, clans, companies, organisations and individuals during this period. It has even been told that brightly coloured tartans were sold to tea plantation owners to enable them to dress slave workers in an immediately identifiable uniform.

Highland dress became fashionable after King George IV wore a kilt during a visit to Scotland in 1822 and it is reported that a number of clan chiefs selected a tartan for their clan when told that they should wear their clan tartan during an audience with the king. Much romantic writing on Scotland, the clans, and tartans was composed during this period - many of the illustrations in this site were painted by R R McIan and published in the book The Clans of the Scottish Highlands in 1845.

Tartan today, although used internationally on everything from fabrics to packaging, is immediately identified with Scotland. It is unique in that the smallest scrap of tartan material - which very possibly is different from any tartan the viewer has seen before - can immediately identify a nation.