Clan Crest Badge Affixed to a Day Sporran..

[Famous Willie]

Hi Bill, I'm going to wade into this discussion with a certain amount of apprehension, because I have been around here long enough to know this is a minefield, and there is no right answer, but one heck of a lot of opinions. I think there is one important question that you have yet to settle in your own mind - and that is just how traditional are you/do you wish your rig to be? As Thistledown mentioned there is a school of Traditional Highland Civilian Dress, and if you wish to adhere to it, they would say that the badge on your sporran is not necessary and therefore should probably be avoided. When you are in your kilt you are wearing 8 yards of tartan fabric which declares who you belong to. IF people don't see that, they won't see a wee badge. Perhaps you might want to take a look at the Tartan Tuesday threads from Toronto. While you will see variations of order of dress, most of us are of the Traditional School and I doubt you will find one clan crest! I don't think you would say that any are not dressed to the nines, or look incomplete. Certainly here on this site you will find all sorts. That's what I like about this site. Everyone has a place. Occasionally it gets a little messy, and it does not mean that we do not disagree, but I appreciate the variations. But you must know what look you are going for, or you will be tossed to and fro. I know when I first joined 5 years ago and was awaiting my first kilt, I was looking at all sorts of bling with my clan crest on it. On any given day when I am kilted you cannot find my clan crest, save for the rare days I wear a lid.

To your specific question, I would not add your crest to that particular sporran. It already has decoration on it, in the form of embossing and studs, and one of the studs which falls right at the bottom of the crest looks as if it is going to interfere. IF you want a sporran with your clan crest on it, buy one ready-made, or pick up a plain sporran on e-bay. They are readily available, quite reasonable, and the military surplus ones from the UK even come with the holes conveniently placed for you. Just because you have a badge doesn't mean you always have to wear it.

Hi Plaid Preacher:

I want to be true to the wear. I decided earlier against affixing the Clan Badge to my Sporran. One main reason is I don't feel like putting holes in it and marring it, and where I paid a few hard earned dollars for it, want to keep it intact.. . I have decided to leave the badge on the cap, and only occasionally want to wear it there. Do want to wear the Farquharson Kilt Pin, and where there is a bit of green in the Tartan, decided that Green Hose would be in order. As for the flashes, haven't decided if I want to wear black or navy blue, as there is a wee bit of both in the squares of the tartan. I was told the Store is throwing in a pair of Clan Farquharson Tartan Flashes cut out of the same fabric as the Kilt, they would look only good with white hose, and I don't believe they are traditional.. Figured either a Black or White Shirt would be appropriate, and whether I wear my Farquharson Tartan Tie, or a Solid Tie, I will try both and see what is best. I know a Bow Tie is for more Black Tie events. I've seen photos of fellows in a Tartan Kilt with a Jacobite Shirt, and that didn't look too bad.. The Prince Charlie Jacket and 3 Button Waistcoat is out, even though I can get a very nice one for half the cost, which was made at Lochcarron, A Big expense for something I may only wear once or twice in my life. Decided against the Fly Plaid, though a Day Plaid might be OK. Though I think, do I really want to look like Katherine Hepburn in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?.. In a couple of her scenes, she wore a Scarf on her left shoulder, like one would wear a Day Plaid..

I have only been here on the group for about a couple of months, and have already found there are many different opinions. I don't take offense to any when they are offered, and do appreciate the advice. I've always been interested in my Scottish Heritage, and as I delve into it heavy, and trying to do things correctly, I am finding my brain is in overload with all the info. It's like reading from the Scriptures, once you get your question answered, you end up creating more questions than when you first asked....

Thanks again PP, do appreciate your advice.. Would you have a couple of links you could share of the Tartan Tuesday threads that I could take a look at.

Bill...