Kilt Pin or Brooch

**cms1528** · 21st June 23, 02:44 PM

My friend found this in his yard recently. He’s offered it to me but I was wondering what any of you may think it might be.

It would make a nice kilt pin. I suspect it was a brooch or perhaps it was on a cap of some style. I can see the clan name and that’s easily researched. Any ideas?

70907629065__8BDF5461-1AE5-4A81-BDED-9C84D603E592.jpeg

**JPS** · 21st June 23, 03:20 PM

Looks like a cap badge to me. Stewart?

**Steve Ashton** · 21st June 23, 06:28 PM

This appears to be a Clan Crest Cap Badge.

Developed in the late Victorian - Early Edwardian, periods around the same time as many of the myths that surround Scottish Highlanders, such as Septs, most named Tartan designs, and the belief that anyone of Scottish ancestry can link themselves to a Highland Clan.

Clan Crests are commonly worn on Balmoral Bonnets and Glengarries.

(Photos courtesy of St. Kilda Kilts)

But there are some who use them as kilt pins and/or plaid brooches.

There are literally hundreds of different designs. This forum has its own Cap Badge -

Some are purely whimsical.

The thing to be careful with is not to confuse a Clan Crest with a Coat of Arms. Arms are granted. (In Scotland by
the Court of The Lord Lyon) And are the property of a single person.

The small portion in the center of a Clan Crest is a part of the Arms of an Armiger (one who has been granted Arms) which are then encircled by a belt and buckle design to denote loyalty or fealty to that person. (usually a Clan Chief)

And unless you are an Armiger, Clan Chief or Chieftain, never, ever, wear feathers stuck behind a Clan Crest.

**cms1528** · 21st June 23, 06:36 PM

Thank you all. I assumed it was a cap badge but wasn’t certain.

**kilted2000** · 21st June 23, 07:06 PM

Are XMarks cap badges still available?

**Steve Ashton** · 21st June 23, 08:38 PM

I have a few.

**stickman** · 23rd June 23, 01:06 PM

I would like to see the other side. The missing pin catch should be easy enough to replace.

**OC Richard** · 25th June 23, 05:59 AM

Here for reference are four Stewart badges. There are so many firms that made them, the variety is almost infinite.

One might be similar to yours.

Can you post a photo of the front? Thanks!

**OC Richard** · 26th June 23, 03:46 AM

The theme of the pelican mother self-sacrificing to feed its young with its own blood is a common mediaeval theme in heraldry, as I recall the term is "vulning".

From the Northumberland Bestiary c1250