Researching Kilt Pins

**TMcCoiter** · 2nd April 06, 03:42 PM

Hi,
I'm researching kilts and I wondered if anyone knows the significance of the kilt pin or if anyone could kindly point me to good books or websites on the subject.

Thanks in advance
TMcCoiter

**Moosehead** · 2nd April 06, 04:28 PM

Originally, it was simply meant to help with modesty. Adds a little weight to the lower edge of the outer apron and helps to keep the wind from lifting it.

**davedove** · 2nd April 06, 04:32 PM

It's just a little weight to help with the apron and a bit of decoration. That being said, as with any other thing you wear, it could carry a symbol of importance to you. For instance, there are kilt pins carrying the crest of each of the US military services. And I'm sure that of any of the military forces where kilts are a uniform, there are specifics that must be followed for kilt pins.

**Panache** · 2nd April 06, 05:55 PM

If you Google kilt pin history you can get the story that is commonly believed to be the origin of the kilt pin. Supposedly Queen Victoria was visiting Balmoral Castle in Scotland and standing outside the castle, at attention were a group of kilted soldiers to welcome her. One poor fellow was standing directly in the the path of a fierce wind. The poor soldier was caught between standing at attention and trying to keep some semblence of modesty with his kilt whipping about in the strong wind. Queen Victoria, noting the young soldier's distress, walked directly in front of him. She removed a brooch or pin from her own clothing and pinned the front flaps of the soldier's kilt together and saved him from choosing between his modesty and duty. I do not know if this is true or not (great story though!) But it is the commonly held belief. I would be curious if Matt Newsome had a take on the origins of the kilt pin, he's our resident kilt historian

By the by, welcome to our forum!

**GlassMan** · 3rd April 06, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

If you Google kilt pin history you can get the story that is commonly believed to be the origin of the kilt pin. Supposedly Queen Victoria was visiting Balmoral Castle in Scotland and standing outside the castle, at attention were a group of kilted soldiers to welcome her. One poor fellow was standing directly in the the path of a fierce wind. The poor soldier was caught between standing at attention and trying to keep some semblence of modesty with his kilt whipping about in the strong wind. Queen Victoria, noting the young soldier's distress, walked directly in front of him. She removed a brooch or pin from her own clothing and pinned the front flaps of the soldier's kilt together and saved him from choosing between his modesty and duty. I do not know if this is true or not (great story though!) But it is the commonly held belief. I would be curious if Matt Newsome had a take on the origins of the kilt pin, he's our resident kilt historian

By the by, welcome to our forum!

The version I head was that she used a hatpin. Considering that at the time she supposedly did this fashionable women wore up to 20 or more of such pins to hold their hair in position and their hats in place even in the stiffest gales. It would have been the most convenient item for her (reach up and pull out) while at the same time not something that would alter her outfit significantly by its absence (since there'd be plenty more where that came from).

But I have no idea of the veracity of the tale.