Cap Badge on a Clan Balmoral?

[dotplaid]

Hi all,

First post; in fact I joined so that I could ask this very question:

Does one wear a clan cap badge on a balmoral bonnet made from a clan tartan?

Our family is planning to attend a Highlands Festival at the end of the summer. I've been thinking it's about time I start showing off my pride. I'd like to buy a bonnet with the Ancient Gunn tartan, but I'm not sure if the Gunn cap badge is overkill or if it's quite appropriate. (The badge seems a bit redundant in light of that tartan, thus my question.)

If there is leeway in this matter, I was thinking that I might attach the crossed cannons and rocket of the U.S. Army's Air Defense Artillery, the branch in which I served.

AirDefenseArtillery.jpg

Any advice would be most appreciated, and tapadh leibh,
dot

[ShaunMaxwell]

I would forego a tartan bonnet and instead purchase something like this:

http://www.jhiggins.net/balmorals/

Then your clan badge would be appropriate.

[Geoff Withnell]

You will find a significant number of folks wear branch of service pins as cap badges. I wear an Eagle, Globe and Anchor fairly frequently myself. I figure if I'm already in a clan tartan the clan badge is a little over the top. Conversely, if I'm in a USMC tartan, I most likely wear the clan badge.

[Tarheel]

Well met dot. My view is this, a solid colored balmoral or glengarry begs for a clan badge. For a tartan cap, I like the crossed cannons and rocket you posted. I would wear my US Army cap badge (or another pendant that meant something to me) if I owned a tartan cap.

But, you just can't tell an old "pickle-head grunt" like me anything except what I learned from drill sergeants and my grandmothers. Welcome from Oxford, MS.

[macwilkin]

Unless you come across a professional tartan spotter or a fellow clansman/woman, chances are very good that the member of the general public will not know your tartan OR your clansman's badge. Personally, a clansman's badge on a non-tartan balmoral is just right for me -- it's when it's combined with the branded shirt, horse, kilt pin, etc. that it becomes too much for yours truly -- much the same as the plethora of masonic accessories at lodge night or more than one lapel pin. Less is more.

I have worn my clansman's badge with my Iowa state tartan because my Scottish ancestors settled there. I'm not so sure I would wear anything Coast Guard Auxiliary related with either of my kilts, but would instead save that for a possible Coast Guard tartan kilt should I order on in the future.

[Mel1721L]

539137_10151892982675977_1090416313_n.jpg

This is my cap "Motto." Due to defence cuts, the regiment was amalgamated in the 90's and that regiment was amalgamated again just a few days ago. There is now only one Lancer regiment left in the British Army.

The regiment was English and I have never considered wearing it with a kilt. I don't wear Scots headdress, as my kilts are Welsh or fashion tartans, but I do wear it on a beret for poppy selling and remembrance day.

[dotplaid]

Thank you, all, for your many and diverse thoughts. I will work to convince DW that the patterned bonnet is an important purchase, and stick the ADA insignia thither. I appreciate the look of solid balmorals, but they're not for me I think.

Regards,
dot

[tulloch]

Welcome from the highlands of central Massachusetts. I think the important thing is to wear what you feel comfortable with. Balmoral, Glengarry; tartan or not. Clan badge is fine. Military insignia looks great.

[Bagpipe Esoterica]

Those Tartan Tam thingies are not for me, but I can see no reason why you wouldn't put a Clan Cap Badge, Military insignia, or go all out with the "flair" the way some do with at least 30 pins of some sort or another.

moragwhiskers_zpsuizjhhtx.jpg

One of these times, I am going to drill wee holes in the badge where the whiskers should go.

[Jock Scot]

You will of course wear whatever you wish, but from my point of view, please, please, PLEASE could you re-consider the wisdom of wearing a tartan balmoral?