Clan badge as kilt pin?

**Tartan Hiker** · 23rd February 06, 09:03 PM

I have a clan badge but no hat to put it on. Is it OK to use it as a kilt pin or is this a breech of kiltiquette?

**furrycelt** · 23rd February 06, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

I have a clan badge but no hat to put it on. Is it OK to use it as a kilt pin or is this a breech of kiltiquette?

Nothing wrong with that. I have seen that before. I think it looks fine.

-ian

**macwilkin** · 24th February 06, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

I have a clan badge but no hat to put it on. Is it OK to use it as a kilt pin or is this a breech of kiltiquette?

Technically there is no "rules" prohibiting it, but I tend to think the chief's crest badge for a bonnet is too big for a kilt pin. That's just my opinion, though.

Cheers,

Todd

**Graham** · 24th February 06, 05:30 AM

My concern would be stagging it on something and ripping the kilt.

**MacSimoin** · 24th February 06, 05:49 AM

Tartan Hiker,

Do you need a kilt pin or is it just the hat you don't have for a clan badge? I have an extra kilt pin that I don't use.

Something to think about: Isn't there usually a discernible weight difference (between clan badges and kilt pins) that would by necessity negate following through with this idea? Although I think it might look alright, I'm with Graham and would be worried about the badge tearing the kilt; my concern stems from the badge being too heavy as it might over time cause quite a hole or tear just from having it pinned to the kilt apron.

**MACKAY** · 24th February 06, 06:05 AM

I have an antique hallmarked silver Mackay Clan badge that I use as a kilt pin and have never had any issues with the weight or any wear on the kilt fabric. It is no heavier than any other kilt pin I have used.

I actually bought the badge specifically to wear as a kilt pin as I do not generally wear a bonnet and did want to show my affiliation to the Chief of my Clan, Lord Reay.

Brian Mackay

**MacSimoin** · 24th February 06, 06:12 AM

Good point about the antique silver, Brian; maybe I should have been more specific and stated using a pewter clan badge may not be a good idea, whereas it seems most badges are made from this heavier alloy these days.

**Tartan Hiker** · 24th February 06, 07:19 AM

Thanks all. I've never even held a "real" kilt pin, so I have no idea of the relative weight of the two. I have a typical pewter badge (that I got on eBay from a fellow in New Zeland). It doesn't seem heavy enough to cause a sag, and I don't use it while hiking or any time that it may snag on something.
I suppose the orientation of the pin itself (vertical as opposed to horizontal) plays a role as well.
Bill

**MacSimoin** · 24th February 06, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

Thanks all. I've never even held a "real" kilt pin, so I have no idea of the relative weight of the two. I have a typical pewter badge (that I got on eBay from a fellow in New Zealand). It doesn't seem heavy enough to cause a sag, and I don't use it while hiking or any time that it may snag on something.
Bill

Bill,

PM me your address and I can send the extra kilt pin to you if you want it. Here's what it looks like (it's actually about half the size of this photo):

**macwilkin** · 24th February 06, 08:47 AM

Another option for a kilt pin is the large "safety pin". You can usually find these at fabric stores for around $3-5 dollars.

http://www.doyle.com.au/images/kilt_pin.jpg

These kilt pins are based on the ones worn by the Highland regiments. I like them for their simple design.

Cheers,

Todd