Pony used for sporrans after seal ban

It was hailed as a victory for animal lovers, but the EU ban on the sale of seal skin means pony hide and rabbit skin are now filling a gap created in the sporran market. The majority of the traditional Highland accessories are seal skin but the sale and manufacture of anything made from it has been prohibited since 20 August. The ban was aimed at ending the cruel slaughter of the mammals and was welcomed by campaigners, but some businesses say it will lead to a part of Scottish culture being consigned to history.

Kiltmakers say pony skin will replace seal skin as a realistic alternative. Thousands of ponies and horses are slaughtered annually at two abattoirs in Britain and their meat sold in France. Many are unwanted children's riding ponies or former racehorses. Iain Jackson, a partner in the Aberfeldy-based Kilt Sporran Company, said: "Pony skin and cowhide are the closest and will likely replace seal skin, while rabbit offers an alternative, albeit with a different look and feel. We have made sporran sales this month but it's been much slower. We do expect an impact on the business with the quality of alternatives falling short of that of the seal skin product."

However, for the committed animal-lover, "vegan" sporrans made from mock leather and faux fur have gone on the market. The manufacturers are attracting orders from around the globe and kilt chain Slanj, which has kitted out Sir Sean Connery and Billy Connolly, plans to stock a selection. Retailers can continue to sell existing seal skin stock, but many fear that when in runs out in a few weeks seal skin sporrans will start to become a thing of the past.

Duncan Chisholm, an Inverness kiltmaker and chairman of the Kiltmakers Association of Scotland, said: "It has affected sales as a lot of customers like the more traditional sporran. What will be on offer now a lot of the time are synthetic materials. They don't look the part, they are not the same quality. A lot of the traditionalists will perhaps be put off wearing the kilt as they just don't like the synthetic options available. The seal skin sporran looks nice, it's good quality, has got good wearing and is an adornment to the kilt outfit." He added: "Our stock of seal skin sporrans is fairly low now, it will last just a matter of weeks. The makers cut down knowing this ban was coming. However, I haven't heard of any black market yet.