Courrans / currans

[Toddy]

I'm sitting here lacing up a new pair of courrans and had a thought. These very simple shoes are the Scottish equivalent of moccasins. Easy to make, and once you have a pattern that fits you, when they wear out you simply unlace them lay them out on a new piece of leather and cut out another pair Light, comfortable, quick drying.....there must be other patterns this simple. What did the Welsh and the English folks wear? I know that Irish/ Manx/Shetlanders, etc., wore very similar ones to the Scots.
The courrans are also excellent for tracking or moving lightly through woods, bracken, heather but they aren't much protection on stoney roads or pavements.

I know that folks like Leon-1 make beautiful sewn moccasins but I'm interested iin simple patterns that people have actually made and used.
I know about Marc Carlson's footwear website, but his patterns are drawn but not actually constructed and known to be a good wearable shoe, even if they are based on historical representations.

Any ideas?

cheers,
Toddy

 

[British Red]

I have nothing to add beyond a request for a picture please

 

[torjusg]

I have seen something about these ancient British/Irish shoes in an issue of the Bulletin of Primitive Technology.

If you are interested I can try dig it up and see if there is anything interesting there.

 

[cyclist]

no idea what they´ve used in Wales ...

a lot of materials (depending on availability) have been used for the (local) production of shoes.
Wooden clogs from the Netherlands are famous, in Scandinavian countries clogs are made with a leather upper half, the Danes have clog boots (leather with wooden sole).
A traditional shoe in the blackforest is the Schwarzwald Finken - made from straw. Same material is probably used worldwide eg. Japan, where they also fixed small leather stripes on short wooden boards to get shoes.

 

[Toddy]

Ooops Tech refs are all out, so I'll pester them later for help.
Meanwhile....an appropriate website but it doesn't have a pattern just an illustration. Probably 'cos we all know how to make them.

http://members.tripod.com/clan_donnachaidh/clothing.html

I'm going out, but I'll see what I can do about patterns and photos when I get back home.

atb,
mary

 

[Tengu]

That was an interesting link full stop.

 

[jerv]

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Currans are wonderful shoes, the highlanders were some of the last people in europe to have a "living" field/bushcraft tradition and so their clothing is very suitable for those of us who are intersted in sneaking up on deer and other fun things. I probably wouldn't try walking around with a dirk though!
I heard that the word "Moccasin" is from the Gaelic "mo chasan" meaning my footwear could be true

 

[Bisamratte]

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Currans are wonderful shoes, the highlanders were some of the last people in europe to have a "living" field/bushcraft tradition and so their clothing is very suitable for those of us who are intersted in sneaking up on deer and other fun things. I probably wouldn't try walking around with a dirk though!
I heard that the word "Moccasin" is from the Gaelic "mo chasan" meaning my footwear could be true

Any chance of unlacing it and showing it flat = instant pattern

I quite fancy making a pair, how thick is the leather?

Cheers,
Andy

 

[sam_acw]

Some other similar designs can be found here

 

[closer2nature]

Any more pictures or maybe a template? very interested