Traditional dress is important to the uniform of the Royal Regiment of ScotlandTheir terrified foes have called them Devils in Skirts and Ladies from Hell — Scottish soldiers have always been unmistakeable. But for the next few years at least, when privates from the Royal Regiment of Scotland are on parade, the sporrans swinging from their waists will not quite have the authentic touch. SponsoredCost cutting by the Ministry of Defence means military sporrans are to be imported, almost certainly from Pakistan, leaving Scottish manufacturers on the brink of ruin, just a week after sporran-making was placed on the red list of endangered crafts. Whitehall mandarins were accused of sacrificing heritage, authenticity and quality to try to cut costs. Sporran enthusiasts are withering about cheap foreign imitations, made from plastic and allegedly “held together with glue”.

Source: The Times June 04, 2021 23:00 UTC