Quote Originally Posted by BoldHighlander View Post

Or how about the recent thread about the Swinging Six (the sporran of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders), in paticular the masked badger version.
I was of the opinion that a civilian version was fine to wear, but leave the military version for the guys serving (or for historical reenactment purposes). In that thread one of our newer members (a current serving officer with the A&SH's) mentioned that since the amalgamation into the Royal Regt of Scotland, that the wearing of the swinging six has ceased. He encouraged the civilian wearing of the full mask badger swinging six as a way of honouring this old tradition.
Now, what am I to make of that? Should I feel concerned about making a mockery of a very proud Highland Regiment, and possibly insulting an old jock, when I have the blessing of (currently) serving member of said regiment to wear this former uniform item (once reserved for NCO's & Officers of the Argylls)?
I had some laundry to fold, so had time to think before going to bed. I think this is a straw man argument and not at all analogous to the Confederate uniform/kilt issue. The sporran, while a prominent feature in Highland attire, is in the end, an accessory. Wearing this sporran in honor of the regiment is more analogous to the buttons I wear on my Argyle jacket, or wearing a cap badge that commemorates a relative's or ancestor's service. Wearing a kilt with the Confederate uniform is like taking the top half of one person and the bottom half of another. It isn't borrowing from a uniform in an effort to create an homage, it's altering a uniform and making it something different.