Cock feather in a bonnet for civilian attire.

[David Thorpe]

Don't pretend to be an armiger, or a baron, or a chief, if you aren't. Be prepared to catch some grief. You are the only one who can say it's worth the flak to dress as you like.

Aye! A thousand times, aye!

Specific to the context of the subject area of this forum, I would add the word "Scottish" before "armiger".

[JohntheBiker]

Cock feathers - dancers, pipers and some military uniforms - much more common in the '50's (and before). Not very common today.

[ThistleDown]

We must also keep in mind that the eagle feather business is not 'Scots' tradition, but 'Highland Scots' tradition. Even if it is only 150 years old that is certainly enough time under the belt for a tradition to be established. About that long ago was the Crimean War, the US Civil War, Chinese rebellions, the Austro-Prussian War, the French were in Mexico, Russia sold Alaska to the US, and Highland aristos were wearing eagle feathers. A sign of their self-importance, perhaps, and a bit like the pre-dandy of seventy-five years earlier who stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni. Today dandies don't usually wear feathers, but it has become traditional for Highland chiefs and other armigers to. (There are a few dandy chiefs, mind you.)

As others have said, best to leave your feathers on the bird.

[jhockin]

I think it is a question of size. Four inches or less would, I think be quite acceptable.

true in so many contexts ( firmly biting tongue)

[creagdhubh]

We must also keep in mind that the eagle feather business is not 'Scots' tradition, but 'Highland Scots' tradition. Even if it is only 150 years old that is certainly enough time under the belt for a tradition to be established. About that long ago was the Crimean War, the US Civil War, Chinese rebellions, the Austro-Prussian War, the French were in Mexico, Russia sold Alaska to the US, and Highland aristos were wearing eagle feathers. A sign of their self-importance, perhaps, and a bit like the pre-dandy of seventy-five years earlier who stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni. Today dandies don't usually wear feathers, but it has become traditional for Highland chiefs and other armigers to. (There are a few dandy chiefs, mind you.)

As others have said, best to leave your feathers on the bird.

Precisely, Rex. Well put.

[Kilted Cole]

I do agree with the previous comments about why one should avoid wearing a feather in a bonnet during Scottish/Highland Scottish events, especially when there is so much else one can put in their cap. I personally like the way the feather gives the bonnet a "streamline" appearance. However, not being an armiger, I avoid wearing a feather with my bonnets and tams. Instead I put the Dandelion that I bought from Mr. Ashton in and give the leaf's a similar look. There are other clans that have plant badges that can have the same effect, Clan Cameron for example has the Oak leaf, and I see that as almost more appealing than a feather.

Dandilion can have the effect of the chiefs feathers.jpgRobert Mackie Balmoral with Highland Tiger adopter pin.jpg

[auld argonian]

You've all got me wondering who the first guy was who stuck a feather in his hat….like, the very first guy. What did he have on his mind? Did he walk back to his camp or village or whatever and people looked and said, "…cool!", or did they say, "…what are you made up for?". I can sorta understand the eagle feather thing…wearing the feather of the big, top of the food chain bird to indicate your position but what's the historical root of a man wearing a feather in his hat?

Best

AA

addenda: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_feather_in_your_cap

[Tobus]

You've all got me wondering who the first guy was who stuck a feather in his hat….like, the very first guy. What did he have on his mind?

I have it on good authority that it was a fellow named Yankee Doodle. He was apparently riding a pony. I'm not sure what was on his mind, but it may have been a small elbow pasta.

[OC Richard]

Keep in mind that every element of traditional military pipers' dress began as civilian attire, the only exceptions coming to mind being the tight collar of the doublet (the doublet itself being originally civilian) and the collar badges on that collar.

Feathers were long worn in civilian Highland dress, and continued to be worn.

Here's a civilian piper with a blackcock tail



Here you can see blackcock tails worn by three different regiments



But not the Cameron Highlanders > Queens Own Highlanders > The Highlanders' pipers who have always worn a single eagle feather

[Nathan]

Post deleted. I had already mentioned it and forgotten.