1860's Style Balmoral Castle Ghillies Goats Hair Sporran
Archibald Brown (1842-1912) - Balmoral Castle
Following some research we have reintroduced a classic day wear goats hair day sporran for a 19th C look. The style is based on the sporran that was worn by Queen Victoria’s ghillies and estate workers at the Balmoral Castle and Abergeldie estates in the 1850-60’s. The original inspiration was the watercolour of Archie Brown ( John Brown’s younger brother ) . Queen Victoria commissioned artist Kenneth MacLeay to paint the monograph ‘ The Highlanders of Scotland ‘ published in 1870 and this was our starting point.
Other early photographs featuring Queen Victoria’s Balmoral Castle estate and Abergeldie Estate workers were also featured wearing similar sporrans. These included William Kennedy, William Morgan, Peter and Frank Farquharson.
The sporran is handcrafted in fine grey goats hair sporran with three white goats hair tassels. The cantle is a black leather sporran with an ox blood red pinked underslip. The tooled back is in Ox blood leather and has a classic small back purse. Perfect style for a day wear goats hair sporran based on the classic style of the mid nineteenth century. To purchase the ghillie sporran please visit the sporran shop page
For the full range of available sporrans please visit the sporran department
With special thanks to the Royal Collection Trust for the Balmoral images and reference ©RCT
Our range of fine quality Scottish goat hair sporrans are hand made in Scotland.
