Would you ever wear a feather in your cap, particularly in the U.S.?

**WolfmanJack** · 15th September 10, 08:51 AM

Even though I love the look, I’ve never worn a feather, thinking this was reserved for chiefs and armigers.

But, at the recent Wisconsin Highland Games, I saw several men wearing feathers in their tams or Glengarrys. I know they are not chiefs or armigers. I really fancy the look of a feather; the perfect finishing touch to a Highland kit.

Knowing xmarksthescot.com is the home of the experts in all things Scottish, I set to work searching here for an answer. What I found were very wide-ranging opinions and extremely intense feelings being expressed here on this subject.

Now I’m more confused than ever. Let’s see if a poll can bring any clarity or consensus to this question.

**BLHS209** · 15th September 10, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by WolfmanJack

Even though I love the look, I’ve never worn a feather, thinking this was reserved for chiefs and armigers.

Now I’m more confused than ever. Let’s see if a poll can bring any clarity or consensus to this question.

Yes, it is for the clan chief's.

And myself, I cause enough problems with out adding more to my life.

Chris Shepherd

**McClef** · 15th September 10, 09:00 AM

Chiefs and Armigers wear Eagle Feathers.

Any other type of feather would not in itself impinge upon their privileges.

But of course that does not mean that there will not be varying views on the subject!

**Jock Scot** · 15th September 10, 09:02 AM

If you are wanting to dress as a Scot, then I think you should should stick to Scots conventions,wherever you are in the world. What you choose to do with eagle feathers in particular, I leave at your respect of the Scots tradition, that you are wanting to be a part of and your discretion.

**Macman** · 15th September 10, 09:22 AM

Personally, I wouldn't wear a feather. I wouldn't wear an eagle feather because I respect convention and I'm not an armiger, and I wouldn't wear any other feather because it just seems "wannabe" to me. Others may disagree and that's fine. I would wear my clan plant or a dandelion, though!

**Zardoz** · 15th September 10, 09:23 AM

Doesn't it sort of depend on the feather, and how you wear it?

If one was not a Scottish chief or armiger, and ran around wearing the big eagle feathers in the style that they do, just because they liked how it looks, I guess they should expect to be challenged on it at some point by the small but seemingly vocal percentage of folks who might know or care about the chief or armiger thing. Or by someone pointing out that possessing eagle feathers is only legal for native Americans with the proper paperwork.

Now if someone had another type or size of feather and stuck it in their bonnet, again just because they liked how it looks, I would hope they could get through their day unmolested.

**Cygnus** · 15th September 10, 09:25 AM

I've been curious about this myself. My surname is Swan and I've always thought it would be fitting to wear a swan feather in my cap!

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If you are wanting to dress as a Scot, then I think you should should stick to Scots conventions,wherever you are in the world. What you choose to do with eagle feathers in particular, I leave at your respect of the Scots tradition, that you are wanting to be a part of and your discretion.

Could you elaborate for those of us who are ignorant of Scottish traditions, Jock? I realize it would be a serious faux pas for me to wear an eagle feather or a feather dressed up to look like one, but are there traditions and conventions regarding the wear of other feathers?

**PEEDYC** · 15th September 10, 09:25 AM

If you want to see Scots with feathers in their hats check out The Queen's Bodyguard of Scotland ie The Royal Company of Archers. I think they take it to the extreme.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...1t:429,r:2,s:0

I do wear a feather or feathers. It is a stags head brooch with deer skin and feather decoration that I wear in my green beret.

**Jock Scot** · 15th September 10, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I've been curious about this myself. My surname is Swan and I've always thought it would be fitting to wear a swan feather in my cap!

Could you elaborate for those of us who are ignorant of Scottish traditions, Jock? I realize it would be a serious faux pas for me to wear an eagle feather or a feather dressed up to look like one, but are there traditions and conventions regarding the wear of other feathers?

I think by now that eagle feathers have been covered as far as Scots traditions go. There is certainly one Clan Chief who wears pheasant feathers instead. I don't know if he has not got eagle feathers to hand, or he prefers pheasant feathers, or perhaps it is a Clan tradition, but I am abolutely sure that wearing any feather, other than eagle feathers, will not tread on any Scots toe. Although many of us would wonder why any one else would bother.