Which way up for a kilt pin in the form of a safety pin?

[A Hay]

I have a friend who bought his first kilt. He also bought a kilt pin of the type that looks like an enlarged safety pin.
Does the closure go on the top or bottom?

I don't own a kilt pin of this type.

Any help or a picture would be appreciated.

Tom

[Jock Scot]

I don't think there is a right way or wrong way but, the sensible way is to have the catch(closure) at the bottom. Why? If the normally reliable catch fails then the pin will not fall out almost immediately, thus giving the owner, or observant friend a chance to notice that it is undone.

[A Hay]

Thank you for that sensible advice.

[Liam]

Make sure he is aware that it just goes through the outer layer ....

[A Hay]

We got that part of it correct. I have had many a kilt pin over the years, but never worn this type of pin.

I have advised my friend on the recommended method.

Thanks to all for your advice.

Tom

[Jock Scot]

I have just had the need to remove my everyday kilt pin from my kilt, it’s off to the cleaners. A fairly rare event and is fraught with worry if not done properly. I take my kilt to my kilt maker to prepare it for dry cleaning, it’s simpler that way as the kilt maker has a tame dry cleaner on hand who understands kilts. Anyway back to kilt pins! I have two, both are silver, rather old and have personal family history attached to them.

As a wee bit of insurance I place a short length of rubber band, about half an inch or so, on the “prong” bit that goes behind the tartan out of sight. The rubber clings to the metal and acts as a stop. In passing, I also do the same with my badge in my bonnet.
So, at the back I pierce the elastic with the “ prong” twice. So pierce the tartan cloth- then pierce the elastic( “prong” in at one end and then out at the other end of the length of rubber) and then pierce the lower side of the tartan to then clip the kilt pin together on the outside. From personal experience, it works!