Tell newbie about kilt pins

[OC Richard]

I wonder why bandsmen have such trouble with their kilts and kilt pins?

Reasons that come to mind include

1) the band members don't own the kilts, they're issued by the band, and many people are careless with other people's property.

2) some band members, including many teenagers, are careless and accident-prone in general.

3) most band members are new to Highland Dress and don't know how to take care of their kit.

The three things above result in things such as some band members, in between performances, throwing their entire uniform, wadded up in a ball, into a corner of their room or the back of a closet.

4) half of the band are drummers and drummers often "hook up" and "un-hook" the drums. Every time a drummer un-hooks a quite heavy cumbersome object with numerous pointy bits rapidly descends down the front of the person. Anything in the way- like a kilt pin- will get tugged earthward. What is stronger, the fabric of the kilt apron, or a rapidly descending 20-pound object?

5) the other half of the band are pipers and we often have to march, while playing, through crowded banquets etc. Our hands are busy playing the pipes and chairs and tables have to be shoved out of the way with our thighs, upon one of which is attached a kilt pin. What is stronger, the fabric of the kilt apron, or a seated adult?