Scotsman may have to get a license to wear a kilt if a new law passes.
Kilt wearers could face prosecution if they do not have a licence for their sporran under new legislation which has been introduced in Scotland.
The laws are designed to protect endangered species like badgers and otters, whose fur used to be favoured by sporran makers. The legislation applies to animals killed after 1994. Applicants must prove that the animal was killed lawfully before they will be able to get a licence.
The conservation regulations were designed to close a number of loopholes and bring Scotland into line with other EU members. They also apply to other vulnerable animals like deer, wildcats, hedgehogs, bats, lynx, moles, seals, whales, dolphins and porpoises.
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The new rules will also cover fishing flies made from animal hair.
Protecting endangered species is a legitimate goal but requiring licensing and penalties of “£5,000 and six months in prison” is a bit overboard. And the blow to Scottish pride may be considerable, following on the heels of the awarding of the Royal Scottish Regiment’s sporran contract to an Australian firm and the possible closing of the last remaining kilt school.
Nae man can tether time or tide.
Via Thaddeus Tremayne, who has a poem in honor of the occasion.
