sporàn

Sporán, also spelled sporán in Irish and sporan in Scottish Gaelic, is the Gaelic word for a purse or pouch. In Scotland the sporan is a central element of traditional Highland dress: a pouch worn at the front of the kilt, hung from a belt. It originated as a practical container to carry money and small personal items, a substitute for pockets on early kilts. Modern sporrans range from functional leather pouches to highly ornate ceremonial pieces, frequently featuring fur, metal cantles, and decorative tassels. They are commonly made of leather, often with a flap and security fastenings; ceremonial versions may be studded with silver or engraved with clan badges or Celtic motifs. The style and material can indicate rank, clan affiliation, or occasion.

In Irish Gaelic usage, sporán refers to a purse or small bag and historically referred to coin purses worn with traditional dress. In both Irish and Scottish contexts the term denotes a portable container worn at the waist and used to keep small items.

Today sporrans remain part of formal Highland dress, used in parades, theater, and Scottish cultural events, while the basic design has influenced contemporary accessories and jewelry-inspired bags. The term is of Gaelic origin.