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Comical twist for sporrans

Marcus Eagleton with some of his comic designs.
Marcus Eagleton with some of his comic designs.

As Burns Night approaches and Scottish tradition comes to the fore, one renowned sporran maker is taking Scots attire into the 21st century.

The Eagleton brand is world-renowned, with Janet and son Marcus Eagleton running their George Street shop in Perth for more than 15 years.

It is filled with traditional, hand-crafted sporrans but also with an increasing number which gently subvert the norm.

Increasing numbers of customers are asking Marcus to update the sporran for them, with a staggeringly varied selection of commission work taking up his time.

Recent examples have included American football-themed sporrans, while an Irn Bru creation for makers Barr was a much commented-upon feature of the Perth shop’s window display.

And now they have been joined by examples bearing comic book characters such as Superman, Batman and Sunday Post favourites The Broons.

Customers have been bringing the business treasured comics and artwork, which he has turned into modern examples of sporran-making.

There is also increasing interest in other sporran-related items, such as handbags and satchels, with celebrities among their fans.

“Sporran-making has stagnated for the past 20 to 30 years and frankly it’s become a little boring,” said Marcus.

“There is nothing wrong with the traditional sporran and it will never go out of fashion but people are increasingly looking for something a little more individual.

“It’s great to have a bit of fun with them, as long as the items are still of high quality.”

Marcus takes the pages of comics and painstakingly places them on to good quality leather, before laminating them to create striking pieces. He’s also made sporrans from rugby balls.

“Every day brings something different and though the working day can be from 4.30am to 1am the following day, you are not making hundreds,” he added.

“You take your time and really it’s a buzz making them though I will admit some of the comic book ones can be a bit of a nightmare.”

“The first I created was a Superman sporran made as a bit of fun but people have just gone mad for them ever since.”