Feathers?

[beloitpiper]

You know those long feathers that are worn in the Glengarry or Balmoral? What is the tradition behind those? Are they just decorative, or is there a significance attatched to them? I recall somebody telling me that only Chieftains were allowed to wear them...is that true?

[macwilkin]

You know those long feathers that are worn in the Glengarry or Balmoral? What is the tradition behind those? Are they just decorative, or is there a significance attatched to them? I recall somebody telling me that only Chieftains were allowed to wear them...is that true?

Feathers behind a badge on a bonnet in generally reserved for Chiefs and armigers (one who bears arms, as in a coat-of-arms). The Lyon Court has a nice article that summarises this custom:

http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/l...=Content.show&

If that link doesn't work, then go to www.lyon-court.com, and click on the link at the top for "Scottish Clans/Tartans". You will see a link to the article, entitled "crests" on the left.

There are also feather hackles, which are generally worn by soldiers and musicians. For example, each of the battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland are wearing different coloured hackles. The Black Watch wear a red hackle, the old Cameron Highlanders wore a blue one, etc.

Regards,

Todd

[beloitpiper]

Yeah, I wear a hackle with my pipe band. I'm talking about those huge pheasant (or whatever) feathers. Thanks for the link!

[macwilkin]

Yeah, I wear a hackle with my pipe band. I'm talking about those huge pheasant (or whatever) feathers. Thanks for the link!

See the article above from the Lyon Court.

t.

[Panache]

Yeah, I wear a hackle with my pipe band. I'm talking about those huge pheasant (or whatever) feathers. Thanks for the link!

You can't even imagine how much I wanted a white plume for my hat!

I asked Todd about it a while back and was given the same information.

sigh

It seems a small thing but if I am going to go to the trouble to properly wear highland garb then I'm going to do it right and try to respect all the traditions that go with it.

A clan plant sprig is an option. I wonder if we could choose an appropriate one for X Marks the Scot to wear behind our XMTS kilt pins when worn as a hat badge?

Cheers

Jamie

[M. A. C. Newsome]

You can't even imagine how much I wanted a white plume for my hat!

I asked Todd about it a while back and was given the same information.

sigh

The feathers that the clan chiefs wear are rather tall eagle feathers. When you see a clan chief wearing his feather (or feathers) you know it! I think if one wanted to decorate his cap with a feather, it shouldn't be a problem so long as you don't wear anythig that might reasonably be confused with the eagle feathers of a chief. For instance, the feather hackles that have been previously mentioned. If you wanted to wear a peacock feather (a bit over the top, but let's say you wanted to...), I don't think anyone would reasonably confuse it with a cheif's eagle feather. If you wanted to wear a white plume of some kind, just so long as it didn't look eaglish (is that a word?) I'd say go for it...
M

[macwilkin]

The feathers that the clan chiefs wear are rather tall eagle feathers. When you see a clan chief wearing his feather (or feathers) you know it! I think if one wanted to decorate his cap with a feather, it shouldn't be a problem so long as you don't wear anythig that might reasonably be confused with the eagle feathers of a chief. For instance, the feather hackles that have been previously mentioned. If you wanted to wear a peacock feather (a bit over the top, but let's say you wanted to...), I don't think anyone would reasonably confuse it with a cheif's eagle feather. If you wanted to wear a white plume of some kind, just so long as it didn't look eaglish (is that a word?) I'd say go for it...
M

And to further Matt's comments, the article from the Lyon Court's web site does have illustrations of said feathers that are worn by Chiefs, armigers, etc.

T.

[Panache]

Looking at the images of the feathers at the Lord Lyon's site I notice they are all worn completely vertical and very neat. A large plume arching downward would look nothing like that...hmmmmmm interesting.

By the by

Matt,

"Eaglish?"



Cheers

Jamie

[orangehaggis]

Just to add a bit to this thread, pipers in such regiments as the Highlanders (Gordons, Camerons and Seaforth) and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders wear blackcock feathers in their glengarries!

Mark O - Ohio

[fluter]

You can't even imagine how much I wanted a white plume for my hat!

Jamie, I'm getting a hazy vision of your plumed hat, it won't be confused for that of a clan chief.

BTW in the States, anything resembling an eagle feather will invite a visit from the Sporran Police. We try to do artistic things with turkey plumage...

A clan plant sprig is an option. I wonder if we could choose an appropriate one for X Marks the Scot to wear behind our XMTS kilt pins when worn as a hat badge?

... hmmmm, yeah... barley?