Is X Marks the Scot a Clan?

**MacWage** · 18th August 07, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Actually, there were cockades worn before Culloden, John. An illustration from Reid's 18th Century Highlanders depicts a member of one of the Independent Highland Companies in the 1730's (the forerunners of the Black Watch) wearing a bonnet with a yellow cockade and a saltire or x-shaped cross made from red material. I also seem to remember a debate among ECW reenactors as to whether covenanting forces during the 1600s wore white saltires. Not sure of the documentation on that one, though.

OK, I was caught in a simplification of history. I was thinking of cockades,like the black ones on modern balmorals.
Of course, cockades and rosettes were used as identification in the Jacobite Rebellions (ALL of them), as well as other times. BUT, such cockades were DIFFERENT than those on modern balmorals. THAT was my intent, though I didn't go into the detail of "well, they used cockades as IDs, but those weren't like modern cockades and were either bow-ties, cross fabric (like an X), or one of several other recorded forms."
I probably SHOULD have, but didn't.

**macgreggor** · 19th August 07, 07:17 AM

It has been a while since I have seen a thread grow so quickly!

I love the dandylion idea. Everyone forgot to mention that the little plant is TOUGH!

As for battle cries, the only battles I have been in lately have been with boredom, frustration, and self-discipline. Some how 'It's a KILT' sounds as fun as anything.

The "Are we a Clan" debate is fun. I am sort of leaning torward the "If it walks like a duck,,," way of thinking. IMHO, no one needs to 'recognize' a group which I chose to belong to. As a whole I would not hesitate to sit down over a cuppa with ANY member of this forum. Not something I can say about the little town I live in.

"By Choice, not Blood" pretty well sums up my feeling about this place.

Thanks for your patience and tolerence, EVERYBODY!

Greg

**ChromeScholar** · 18th August 07, 10:39 AM

As far as I've been able to determine, a plant badge would literally be a twig, with some crabapple leaves worn on the hat, or at the end of the banner, to identify yourself to other members of the clan. Plant badges were probably the earliest way to identify your clan affiliation (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Two guys walk up to each other. Each has a crabapple twig, or leaves on their hat or clothes, they know they're allies.

**Panache** · 18th August 07, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by ChromeScholar

...Two guys walk up to each other. Each has a crabapple twig, or leaves on their hat or clothes, they know they're allies.

Or bumped into the same tree with low hanging branches...

Seriously though, that was pretty much it.

Cheers

Jamie

**ChromeScholar** · 18th August 07, 02:53 PM

I said it had been a long time since I did any Latin. You're undoubtedly right.

**The F-H.C.A.G.** · 18th August 07, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ruanaidh

Sorry, but I have to point out that the Latin word "per" is followed by the accusitive. It should read "Per electum, non consanguinitam".

Does this remind anyone else of The Life of Bryan?

Be well,

**pdcorlis** · 18th August 07, 08:32 PM

Thanks for that information Todd - is this a great place or what?

**jordanjm** · 18th August 07, 08:47 PM

Whether or not XMarks is a clan or not it is a community which I have learned a lot from, and I hope I have been able to give back a little.

And Panache,

Was the gentleman with the Boxwood from Clan MacGillivray?

**Colin** · 20th August 07, 10:39 AM

I think that while this discussion is a lot of fun, that we need to remember that it is just that...fun. A few have pointed out that it would be an international clan society or fictional clan, like Clan MacBubba, etc. That is dead on. It's a social clan and a good one at that.

It's a great sense of pride to all of us here, but I don't want to see someone getting upset when a Highland Games Clan tent organizer fails to recongize "Clan Xmarks". So by all means let's contiue the fun, but let's remember that it will not fit in the traditional definition of a clan. As long as we accept that some will not see it as a clan in the traditional sense, than we are all good.

Also, I think that a simple "Freedom" (not yelled like Mel Gibson, but simple stated like a toast) would be the best choice for a battle cry. It shows our unity, our class, our diversity, and our love for the breeze between the knees

**davedove** · 20th August 07, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

Also, I think that a simple "Freedom" (not yelled like Mel Gibson, but simple stated like a toast) would be the best choice for a battle cry. It shows our unity, our class, our diversity, and our love for the breeze between the knees

I like that. But we can yell it if we want to, right?