Finding a clan badge

[macwilkin]

Matt,

How are you that eloquent so early in the morning? Well done indeed, sir!

Since Gibson is considered part of clan Buchanan, then that is your clan and if you are going to show loyalty to the clan, you need to display and wear that clan cheif's crest badge. It doesn't matter is his last name is different than yours. (As a side note, Buchanan, I beleive, does not have a cheif at present, so displaying the cheif's crest as a badge would not be a display of loyalty to him as a person, but rather to the position of the chief should it ever be filled, and of course to the clan itself).

I can confirm that the Buchanans have no chief at present, thanks to a friend of mine who represents the Clan Buchanan society in Louisiana at present.

Cheers,

Todd

[Cawdorian]

Matt,

That was a very informative post, very well presented.

Jim

[Colin]

As I have said before my most direct scottish link is my moms family with the name Gibson (Gibbs). I know they were a sept of Buchanan, Campbell, and McDuff at different times. The thing is that I don't want a Buchanan, Campbell, or McDuff clan badge I want a Gibson one. Where do I go to find a slightly obscure clan badge?

Intersting post. Thanks for the links yoippari. My great Grandmother (father's side) was a Gibbs and moved to Canada from just outside of Glasgow. This is my closest connection to Scotland, as all my other connections make me 4th and 5th generation Canadian. I never knew they had a clan badge.

I have the same difficulty with the Wood clan badge (which does exist). The clan is also a sept of Watson, which is a sept of Buchanan, so the Wood badge is harder to find. The only place I have found that was able to get the Wood cap badge was www.canadakilt.com but it would have to be specially made. I think David usually only sells accessories when you buy a kilt, but it may be worth an email. I think he quoted me between $30 and $50 cdn (pretty comparable to the ones available in the shops).

[Cawdorian]

Colin,

How can I find a Wood tartan? I have tried to find it without any luck. I presume Wood and Woods would be tne same tartan. I remember someone mentioning there was a Wood tartan but don't remeber if was a district tartan or not.

Jim

[Colin]

Colin,

How can I find a Wood tartan? I have tried to find it without any luck. I presume Wood and Woods would be tne same tartan. I remember someone mentioning there was a Wood tartan but don't remeber if was a district tartan or not.

Jim

Wood and Woods are actually the same. It is similar to Mac or Mc, Woods is just a variation of Wood. I have only found two tartans in the Wood family name and both were from one source. http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tart...cfm?startrow=1

Created to celebrate Sir Ian Wood's 60th Birthday.

A combination of the Duke of Fife or Fife and the Angus tartans. Both areas having stong historical connections with the Wood name. The tartan can be used by any with the name.

The easier solution is the more readily available tartans of Watson (ancient is quite nice and will be my next kilt) http://kiltstore.net/sr_swhdr_eighty...son%27:stage=2
or Buchanan
http://kiltstore.net/sr_swhdr_eightyardkilt.html

I would love to have a kilt in my last name, but it may be a wee bit difficult. Let me know if you find a good source.

[Cawdorian]

Thanks for the info, I have some Woods back in my family who where Ulster Scots. I was checking out all of the tartans I had in my line.

Didn't mean to get sidetracked on the thread.

Jim

[yoippari]

So since it denotes loyalty to a person (one that I will probably never meet) a clan badge would be inappropriate for me. I have no interest in joining any organization who I have to declare loyalty to. So perhaps instead of a clan badge would a christian badge work? Something like a fish in the belt and buckle? I figure it would probably have to be comissioned but as I said, I know someone who might do it cheap.

[macwilkin]

So since it denotes loyalty to a person (one that I will probably never meet) a clan badge would be inappropriate for me. I have no interest in joining any organization who I have to declare loyalty to. So perhaps instead of a clan badge would a christian badge work? Something like a fish in the belt and buckle? I figure it would probably have to be comissioned but as I said, I know someone who might do it cheap.

Not exactly. The Chief is the head (or father) of the clan (clan means "children"), so yes, you are displaying your loyalty as a clansman, but clan societies do not require to take an oath of loyalty to the chief when you join -- but yet, you are "loyal" to your family in honouring your heritage by wearing the clansman's badge. I'm afraid you're reading too much into it.

In the case of the Buchanans, as mentioned before, there is no chief to be "loyal" to, so the badge is worn in respect for the office of the chief, and the clan itself.

I suppose you could cast some sort of badge, but a more appropriate badge of a religious nature would be the badges with St. Andrew and his cross, since St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, and his cross is featured on the Scottish flag.

Regards,

Todd

[An t-Ileach]

...The Chief is the head (or father) of the clan (clan means "children")...

Todd's right - literally the bloke we refer to as "Chief" is in Gaelic the ceannfine or "head of family/clan/etc".

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

MAc,

As usual, a well explained and informed post. I was actually able to understand each of the components is a much better fashion than I had with other posts and research of my own.

RJI