Alternative kilt pins

[A Hay]

Scottish Chi, you were looking for a Fleur de Lis kilt pin? I found one here
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CARSE-OF-GO...-and-Kiltmaker last night. I went ahead and bought it today. Cost was 12.99 british pounds plus shipping. I could not copy the pic since it is protected, but if you open the site and look in kilt pins, it is near the bottom of the list.

I had been thinking of of something like this for a while. We have a new Army unit stationing here and their unit crest has the fleur de lis in it. I don't want to post their name or insignia to the world, but Army types problably know who it is.

Also, Hamish showed a picture recently of a Breaton pin that was very nice.

I've ordered several small items recently from the site above and they always have shipped promptly. I pay the VAT and have them shipped directly from
Great Britain to Germany, because it is easier, but you might ask about taking the VAT off for shipping to USA.

Tom

[Scottish Chi]

First time trying to post a picture. Let's see if this works. If so this is the kilt pin. It's about 3 inches long.

Cheers! Bill

[billmcc]

Scottish Chi,

The frog's pose will make it look like it is climbing up your kilt. I like it.

[James]

Lots of interesting pins.

I think there are two points, first as mentioned a properly fitted pin will not damage the kilt.

Like Hamish I tend to have one for each kilt, and some I have sewn on, and they seem to be OK for dry cleaning.

The other being that the pin is not just a bit of redundant tat: rather it is a way for the wearer to display their own individuality.

This leads to something else, the kilt was in its earlier form the garb of the highlander, not the effete lowlander: to be blunt an oft wild and certainly savage lot-who would pay attention not only to their weaponry, but to their appearance/display. This at once sets them apart from the drab lowlander, who would have been horrified by what they saw as the savage-uncouth [and oft unwahed] highlander, who to their eye would have been barely civilised.

So such things as the kilt pin and skean dhu are living reminders of the origins of the kilt, and what the tartan means.

So whilst accepting that the kilt has evolved and been adopted by many who would in the past have scorned such a way of dressing: there is a certain onus upon kilt wearers to pay homage to that past, rather than sinking into drab conformity. Or for that matter so emasculating the kilt that the wearer is just another chap in a skirt.

To mess up the metaphors: 'Tis not the skinny latte we drink tonight, tis blood we seek and blood we drink.'

James

[billmcc]

Well said, James.

I would like to show my German heritage (from my mother) in the form of a pin on my kilt or sporran, but I haven't been able to come up with a good German symbol. Any suggestions?

[A Hay]

billmcc,

Meaning no disrespect for your intentions to honor your mother's german ancestry, but the first thing that comes to mind is BEER! A stein with a raised pewter lid would be easily recognized.

A more decorative symbol would the the Edelweiss flower which is common to the south Bavarian region.

Brewing of beer is a serious business with a long history in Germany. In the middle ages it was the only safe liquid to drink as water sources in towns were often polluted.

Tom

[Panache]

Bill,

I think the frog pin is rather cool. When you go to a Scottish games and compare it to everyone else who is wearing a sword or a celtic knot, you can know that you have something unique. Isn't wearing kilts all about marching to a different (though Highland) drummer?

Cheers

[KiltedKnight]

Well said, James.

I would like to show my German heritage (from my mother) in the form of a pin on my kilt or sporran, but I haven't been able to come up with a good German symbol. Any suggestions?

I spent years in Germany with the US Army and while I was there I picked up some fantastic pewter pins in most cities that I visited which are now plastered all over three Alpine caps that hang in my room. If you know what city your mother's people are from, get that particular pewter pin and use it. Some of these pins are really beautiful and might make a great kilt pin.

Chris.

[The Supreme Canuck]

Well said, James.

I would like to show my German heritage (from my mother) in the form of a pin on my kilt or sporran, but I haven't been able to come up with a good German symbol. Any suggestions?

Perhaps a pin in the form of the Arms of Germany?

[MacSimoin]

...If you have more than one kilt, you really should have a separate pin for each one to avoid constantly having to remove and refix the lone pin in different kilts.

Totally agree with Hamish; not all kilt pins are the same length or width and therefore wearing a different one in the same kilt will ruin the fabric on that part of the apron over time. If you wear a kilt pin (I seldom do), leave it on unless the kilt needs to be dry cleaned.