From the Scottish Tartans Authority

http://www.tartansauthority.com/high...lt/some-advice

Quote : We mentioned feathers in one's bonnet earlier and should emphasise that it's viewed as the worst possible taste to wear eagle feathers in your bonnet to which you're not entitled. They're not fancy dress and have a long established significance in Scotland that shouldn't be trampled on. Here's what the late Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk had to say on the subject:

"The convention has long been established that a chief wears three eagle feathers, the chieftains of cadet* branches and Feudal Barons* wear two and the gentleman (armigers*) of the clan may wear one feather. The Sovereign, as Chief of Chiefs, wears four.") Lecture over!!!!