Balmoral bonnet and feathers...

[JSFMACLJR]

Makes perfect sense, Sandy! Especially if you look at the height of the sticks, or "smaller" cromachs perhaps for his sons? Cheers.

Yes they are cromachs. The young Argylls carried them a couple of weeks ago at the Inveraray Highland Games. You can see them in this YouTube clip ( around the :43 mark! )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tUqeDp-oPk

[creagdhubh]

Yes they are cromachs. The young Argylls carried them a couple of weeks ago at the Inveraray Highland Games. You can see them in this YouTube clip ( around the :43 mark! )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tUqeDp-oPk

Wonderful! Have you marched in the approach to the games field before, Sandy? I have yet to attend the Inveraray Games, but I hope to sometime very soon. I like the Confederate flag at 1:40 - totally unexpected! LOL! Thanks for the clip, Sandy.

Kindest regards,

[JSFMACLJR]

Wonderful! Have you marched in the approach to the games field before, Sandy? I have yet to attend the Inveraray Games, but I hope to sometime very soon. I like the Confederate flag at 1:40 - totally unexpected! LOL! Thanks for the clip, Sandy.

Kindest regards,

No, I haven't been to the Inveraray games...yet. There just might be too many Campbells around for my blood!

[creagdhubh]

No, I haven't been to the Inveraray games...yet. There just might be too many Campbells around for my blood!

Hahaha! Quite!

[Thomas H]

These are the coolest pictures ,I had never seen the plant badge worn like that. I am so going to wear a sprig of Pine in my cap and I am rethinking my whole outfitt ,Now I want to wear a Day Jacket with a sprig of the Ferguson Plant badge. These pic's have got me excited. Now I need a Cane LOL

[creagdhubh]

These are the coolest pictures ,I had never seen the plant badge worn like that. I am so going to wear a sprig of Pine in my cap and I am rethinking my whole outfitt ,Now I want to wear a Day Jacket with a sprig of the Ferguson Plant badge. These pic's have got me excited. Now I need a Cane LOL

Wonderful, Thomas! I am happy you liked the photos.

Best wishes,

[Bob C]

"Tall" seems to be the operative word. So, what about shorter, stubbier feathers tha would be worn simply as a jaunty decoration? I have some ruffed grouse tail feathers that are beautiful, and only about 5 inches long.

Wear 'em! I've got several blue jay feathers that I've collected while mowing my lawn and I plan to fashion them into something to wear on my Balmoral bonnet and/or my Tilley hat.

I've got a turkey tail feather, too, but it's long and would probably set off someone who has nothing better to do than mind my business. Not that I'm opposed to meeting such confrontations, but when I'm enjoying a festival or games with family and friends, I just don't need the hassle.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I've got a turkey tail feather, too, but it's long and would probably set off someone who has nothing better to do than mind my business. Not that I'm opposed to meeting such confrontations, but when I'm enjoying a festival or games with family and friends, I just don't need the hassle.

At least once or twice a year some "Chihuahua" will get in my face over my tall feathers-- I'm sure they are well-intended, even if totally ignorant of the "how comes and whys" feathers are worn. Like small yappy dogs I just ignore them.

In reality most folks who are entitled to the display of feathers rarely wear tall feathers, preferring instead to discretely ensign their crest badge with small silver feathers.

[JSFMACLJR]

In reality most folks who are entitled to the display of feathers rarely wear tall feathers, preferring instead to discretely ensign their crest badge with small silver feathers.

Or even just the plain circlet or the crest simplicitor!

[creagdhubh]

Or even just the plain circlet or the crest simplicitor!

I was just going to mention in response to Scott's post, "just as Sandy does!" Sometimes understated is best, but I would agree there is indeed a time and place for tall feathers. Majority of the time, I have seen the wearing of tall eagle feathers abroad in Scotland, at various games and gatherings. I realise this topic has been widely discussed on XMTS before, so I shall not go on and on.

Naturally, this is evident when clan chiefs or chieftains are present at different "out-of-doors" social events and functions, in all of their Highland splendour, but I have seen many (mainly Macpherson) armigers wearing a single, tall feather, just as often as chiefs wearing three tall feathers, and chieftains wearing two tall feathers.

Below are photos demonstrating the wearing of tall feathers; showing my Chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, my good friend, Sandy Macpherson of Edinburgh (armiger), Alastair Macpherson of Pitmain (Chieftain of the Pitmain Macphersons), the late Euan Macpherson of Glentruim - Euan's successor and son, Lachlan Macpherson of Glentruim (Chieftain of the Glentruim Macphersons), and the late Ronald Macpherson of Laggan.

Special note - if you observe the final photo, the Macpherson in the wheelchair is Tommy Macpherson, "Britains most decorated former soldier." Tommy is truly a hero, and a complete gentleman. He has often been the Chieftain of the Newtonmore Highland Games, which coincides with our annual clan gathering. Much to the clan's sadness, Tommy, who is 91, recently fell ill after surgery, and is now restricted to a wheelchair. Tommy is a true Macpherson, and has been a staunch supporter of the Clan Macpherson Association since its inception in 1946. God Bless, Tommy, we wish you a speedy recovery and we love you.








You can read a wonderful article written about Tommy Macpherson by clicking on the link below. He has also written a superb memoir of his extraordinary military service, which was published last October.

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com...ost.5317553.jp

Beannach'd libh,