Scotsman's sporran (pouch) doomed by European ban on sealskins

[Annces]

By Jonathan Brown
Friday, 25 July 2008



The Highland kilt must rank as one of the most distinctive and manly items of clothing that the world has ever seen. But it has no pockets. Braveheart warrior types, though, were never going to resort to carrying some kind of proto man bag. So the sealskin sporran was born.




Now, however, centuries of tradition look set to be overturned after the European Commission moved a step closer to a complete import ban on seal products. At present, 90 per cent of sporrans are fashioned from the mammal's hide, prompting warnings from traditional Highland dressmakers that the change in the law could spell disaster for the thriving industry.

The move, announced yesterday by the European environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, was warmly received by animal welfare groups which have campaigned to end what they regard as the inhumane slaughter of seals. But others believe it could mean an end to a distinctive feature of Scottish heritage.



(full article)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/scotsmans-sporran-doomed-by-european-ban-on-sealskins-876806.html


(Bad news for the vain dressers. Good news for the seals).

[XemaSab]

1. Cultural genocide! Cultural genocide!

:o

[phantom power]

2. Call me crazy...

I bet the kilt industry can find something else to make sporrans out of, and the kilt-wearing subculture will survive.

[GliderGuider]

4. OK. You're crazy.

Happier now?

I agree, there is no need to use sealskin for sporrans. It's not just a foolish consistency that is the hobgoblin of small minds, but foolish tradition as well.

[Indenturedebtor]

3. What!?!?! You'll never take our sealskin fanny packs you wankers!

:eyes:

[GliderGuider]

5. Ootrageous! What's next, a ban on sealskin merkins?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkin

[phantom power]

6. Did I really just see that?

It's not easy to tell, when you're crazy.