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.

**Iolaus** · 27th February 06, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

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

How big is the typical clan badge? Is it bigger than our XMarks pins?

I just bought this pewter kilt pin at the games; it's twice the length of our circle's diameter, and much heavier.

**longshadows** · 21st April 06, 06:43 AM

I guess I'm a bit bemused at this point. So far, I have not bought a kilt pin, waiting until I found a "special" one. Then I read Ham's posts about having a different pin for each kilt. Now, I'm reading posts that say just go to the fabric shop and buy a big safety pin! On top of that, we're told not to pin through both layers of the kilt apron--just the top apron.

Uh, so what's the purpose of this? I'm wearing a little, cheap, Chinese made safety pin on the top layer of my kilt apron? That's supposed to add weight enough to prevent kilt "blow up?" I could see a Celtic/Scots/traditional pin or badge, but a safety pin? Uh, what's the point?

(Sorry, I don't mean to be trouble... :confused: )

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 21st April 06, 06:52 AM

Longshadow, the pin that is mentioned, shaped like a diaper pin, is much larger than a real diaper pin. It is just in the same shape. The one I have on one of my kilts is made from brass, probably 6-7" long, 1-2" wide, and weighs 4-5 oz. Plenty of weight and heft to keep down the front apron. Will post a pic if I can find one.