Cap Badge Etiquette

[Madadh]

This is precisely why I wanted to ask the question. Thank you; I hope I haven't given offense in the asking, somehow.

As I have often told students, young troops, and junior workers, the only stupid question is the one that is not asked.

[48HofC]

This is precisely why I wanted to ask the question. Thank you; I hope I haven't given offense in the asking, somehow.

I can’t see that asking questions should offend anyone, the quest for knowledge is never ending and is an admirable trait.

[plaid preacher]

I have two fairly basic questions about cap badges:

First, I remember reading somewhere that it was gauche to wear your clan crest badge when you're wearing your clan tartan. Is this true?

Cal, I believe I may know the conversations you are thinking of. Several years ago there were some threads regarding having your clan crest on your sgian dubh and your sporran and your cap badge all while wearing your clan tartan kilt and a matching tartan tie. The opinion expressed at that time was that being so festooned - I believe that is the word OC Richard used above - is probably overkill and perhaps a little gauche. I would suggest kilt and cap badge would be perfectly acceptable.

[OC Richard]

OC Richard is incorrect when it comes to the historical aspect of cap badges when it comes to the SCOTS. All the badges worn by the antecedent regiments are still 100% under the control of the MOD and are still being used in various capacities within the individual battalions.

Perhaps the critical bit is "in various capacities."

Do members of the SCOTS wear anything other than the SCOTS cap-badge on their headdress?

I'm far away in America for sure, but the photos I've seen (and the military pipe bands I've seen in person playing here) have shown the SCOTS cap-badge being worn.

Perhaps I'm being pedantic by confining my remarks to the matter of cap-badges being worn as cap-badges on headdress.

As I've said I've seen various photos of a civilian pipe band at the Braemar games wearing Gordon tartan and Gordon Highlanders cap-badges and red hackles being reviewed by the Queen, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles. If the wearing of Gordon Highlanders cap-badges and the Red Hackle are regarded as the exclusive domain of the military, why does this band wear them? It would interest me to find out what the attitudes of members of the band and people who see the band are.

[Tarheel]

Another direction to consider would be wearing a plant sprig associated with your clan. My clan (Colquhoun) accept and wear Hazel saplings in their caps without clan badges. I do not intend to distract from the topic, but felt this a good time to offer an alternative line of thought for the OP.

We XMark rabble recognize the Dandelion as our association to a group.

[LKM]

In my opinion I would not wear a military emblem, cap-badge or otherwise, unless I had a connection to that specific military unit. Although there are many that look great, to me it is more part of a uniform then every day dress. There are pipe bands that have military styled badges and a few that wear actual military uniforms and badges, yet this is still a uniform and it seems to be accepted for a pipe band. Having a badge for a unit your father or grandfather was in in WWI or WWII has more family history association and wearing these seems to be a gray area and is likely to start conversations.

Side note:

Another direction to consider would be wearing a plant sprig associated with your clan. My clan (Colquhoun) accept and wear Hazel saplings in their caps without clan badges. I do not intend to distract from the topic, but felt this a good time to offer an alternative line of thought for the OP.

For my family that would be a leek as my surname is Welsh. It's harder to wear a leek behind the cap badge then it is a flower of sprig of an herb. Then the thought crossed my mind of someone wearing a tree on their cap, I can see why some people go with the green branches and new leaves.

[48HofC]

Perhaps the critical bit is "in various capacities."

Do members of the SCOTS wear anything other than the SCOTS cap-badge on their headdress?

I'm far away in America for sure, but the photos I've seen (and the military pipe bands I've seen in person playing here) have shown the SCOTS cap-badge being worn.

Perhaps I'm being pedantic by confining my remarks to the matter of cap-badges being worn as cap-badges on headdress.

As I've said I've seen various photos of a civilian pipe band at the Braemar games wearing Gordon tartan and Gordon Highlanders cap-badges and red hackles being reviewed by the Queen, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles. If the wearing of Gordon Highlanders cap-badges and the Red Hackle are regarded as the exclusive domain of the military, why does this band wear them? It would interest me to find out what the attitudes of members of the band and people who see the band are.

When the Scottish Division went to the brigade badges in the 50’s/60’s (Highland & Lowland), the regimental specific ones were and still are the symbol of the battalion. Under the options for change, the original agreement was that each battalion of the SCOTS would get to wear their original badge upon amalgamation, but that fell through as some English regiments complained to no end, and Whitehall gave in to them.The MOD has yet to give up the rights to any of them to this day. The SCOTS are the only new super regiment to have their battalions stay inline using their old regimental names and that is no small thing.
I really do not think you can grasp this as you have repeated on numerous occasions that you have never served, maybe if you had, you would actually understand how some find it a slight to wear what is not earned. I do not need to scour the Internet looking for pictures and such trying to justify what I say as I have two things in my favour, I served in a Highland regiment, and my son is a serving regular soldier in the SCOTS, pretty sure he knows the lowdown.
I can think of three bands alone that wear the Gordon tartan and badge and all have direct connections to the regiment. It boils down to wear whatever you want, people like to play dress up and that will never change. All I can say is I respect regimental pride and will not disrespect what other soldiers have earned by wearing their badges.