Leather In Scottish History

[budd4766]

I've been asked to do a show-n-tell on leather work in Scottish history....because I'm a leather worker, and have Scottish ancestors. I'm going to make a sporran and kilt belt for the "show", but I'm having trouble with the "tell" part.

Problem is, I can't find any material to talk about how leather was tooled/used in Scotland, other than the obvious...to hold up yer kilt! When you do a search on line, you'll either get hits from sporran makers, kilts, or William Wallace...but I'm yet to see any info on the history of leather in Scotland.

Anybody have any information on this? Or, can you point me towards where I could at least find it myself?

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Too bad you were not talking about sewing machines, the largest Singer plant was in Scotland.

You didn't say how long of a talk you need to give. Hopefully one of the members from Scotland can help you out some. Depending on how far back you go, leather's role in history will change greatly. Look at the US for example. There are a lot more items made today with synthetics that used to be leather; shoes, boots, purses, packs, etc. A lot of the old military equipment was leather, but no now. Leather workers were probably like blacksmiths in that they made everyday, mundane items for general consumption. Shoes, boots, horse tack, straps, buggy seats, cases, etc.. Some of these would be done by leather specialists like cobblers for one. I am sure that there were apprenticeships, and guilds too.

Depending on the age of the group, and the length of talk, you may not need that much detailed info.

[Luke Hatley]

I've been asked to do a show-n-tell on leather work in Scottish history....because I'm a leather worker, and have Scottish ancestors. I'm going to make a sporran and kilt belt for the "show", but I'm having trouble with the "tell" part.

Problem is, I can't find any material to talk about how leather was tooled/used in Scotland, other than the obvious...to hold up yer kilt! When you do a search on line, you'll either get hits from sporran makers, kilts, or William Wallace...but I'm yet to see any info on the history of leather in Scotland.

Anybody have any information on this? Or, can you point me towards where I could at least find it myself?

I wished i could give you more help .But Get in touch with Bud Hisky here in Memphis

he might be of some help.

[budd4766]

I'm speaking for 30 minutes...I'm thinking early 1700s or before. There wasn't much kilt wearing after 1745 for quite a while. I know Andrew Muirhead in Scotland is one of the oldest tannery's in the world...sent them an email for info if they have it.

Just wondering how I can make the stretch from what a Scottish leather worker would do, to what we do today. Things like, I don't know if they tooled their leather, or just painted designs on it....? These are potential customers, so I have to tie the history into what I would do for 'em.

I think I can BS my way through 30 minutes or so, but, if there's any info out there, I need to do due diligence to find it.

[Luke Hatley]

Why not just show them how to make a pair of Gillies...........

It would be of Leather.........

[Glaisne]

I've been asked to do a show-n-tell on leather work in Scottish history....because I'm a leather worker, and have Scottish ancestors. I'm going to make a sporran and kilt belt for the "show", but I'm having trouble with the "tell" part.

Problem is, I can't find any material to talk about how leather was tooled/used in Scotland, other than the obvious...to hold up yer kilt! When you do a search on line, you'll either get hits from sporran makers, kilts, or William Wallace...but I'm yet to see any info on the history of leather in Scotland.

Anybody have any information on this? Or, can you point me towards where I could at least find it myself?

As a kilt wearer, I can say that neither are used to hold up the kilt. The belt kept the old kilts from "unwrapping". Modern kilts have small leather straps and buckles on the side. The sporran is just a pouch as the kilt has no pockets. Two sites that come to mind. The first site is a little more in depth but both have great information. With a little browsing, I think you might find something to help you out.

http://xmarksthescot.com/

http://kiltsrock.com

If I can be of other assistance please give me a shout!

James

Edited September 20, 2010 by Glaisne

[budd4766]

Thanks James.

I'm also a kilt wearer, and I'm a member of both of those forums. I've been searching them for info already...even sent Matt Newsome a PM to see if he has anything I can use. Thought I'd try here as well.

I know belts aren't really necessary with a kilt, but they do look cool with one. I was thinking more along the lines of a great kilt...that doesn't fit quite as nicely as our modern kilts...a belt would be handy there. Plus, there's sword sheaths, frogs, and straps that I imagine were mostly made of leather. Need to find out how they tooled their stuff, or if they tooled it at all.

[ChuckBurrows]

FWIW - Yes tooling was done on pre-1745 Scots leather. Tooling goes back at least to the Ancient Egyptians and even earlier to the Neo-Lithic period.

The various books by John Waterer are an excellent resource on the history of leather through the ages.

[KatieG]

There's always scabbards for swords and knives... what about the straps on bagpipes? Horse tack? Aprons for blacksmiths? I'm sure some stuff that was the same in Scotland and England.. I mean... they're on the same island.

And go Scots! I'm a Black Douglas, myself

[budd4766]

ChuckBurrows: Thanks. I'm having trouble finding books by Waterer...none of the libraries I've checked with can find it. But that's exactly the stuff I'm looking for.

KatieG: Yes! Go Scots! I'm a Keith, and darn proud of it.. Like I said, I'm making a kilt belt, sporran and straps, (for myself, but to pass around as well). I'm planning to carve thistles on both and color it "sheridan style"...at least that's the plan. Thought about the sword sheath or a targe, but I'm going to run out of time, so I'm trying to keep it simple.