Cap Badge from Ian Grant of Edinburgh

[caig]

Very well done, Alex. You chose one of the two best silversmiths in Scotland (I used the other, Roddy Young of Inverness).

I have not forgotten the eagle feather; I have not crossed the border yet !

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Yesterday I travelled to Edinburgh to collect my Clan Cunningham Armiger's cap badge in sterling silver from Ian Grant.

My motto Alterum Non Laedere (Latin for "To Injure Nobody") was originally chosen by me in 1975 when I was sworn in as a Scottish Notary Public, supposedly for life. Subsequent legislative changes required me to stand down as a Notary Public when I retired from the legal profession so I decided to keep the motto when I petitioned the Lord Lyon for recognition as an Armiger. Sometimes it can be hard to live up to this motto, it is difficult to please everyone all of the time, but its certainly a goal which I continually strive towards.

The badge as fitted to my bunnet. My bunnet was made in Scotland by Robert Mackie and purchased from Freedom Kilts in Victoria BC during my recent visit there on the occasion of the launch of the Quest of the Quaich.
For the purists who may think the badge has been mounted too low on the bunnet, I did try it higher up but in the higher position it would not remain vertical.

Alex,

Ian Grant does top class work, as is obvious from your badge. It's really quite impressive! If, by chance, you are looking for a real feather, you should be able to obtain one from Stewart Christie in Edinburgh.

I'm told the trick with keeping these badges upright is to take an old playing card and place it inside the bonnet with the bottom edge of the card just above the bottom of the band, and tack this to the lining of the bonnet. Now, run a stitch across the feather at the top of the circlet, being sure to pierce the card when you do so. This should (I am told) keep your badge from falling over.

Best regards,

Scott

[Andy Proffitt]

Very nice Alex!

[Downunder Kilt]

Superb Alex, and congratulations once again on your successful petition

[Highlander31]

Very nice, Alex. Congratulations on your successful petition.

[tripleblessed]

Very happy to see that you have completed this long journey! Wear it in joyous good health.

[theborderer]

Congratulatios Alex, a very nice badge indeed.

[robbiethepiper]

Alex,

Ian Grant does top class work, as is obvious from your badge. It's really quite impressive! If, by chance, you are looking for a real feather, you should be able to obtain one from Stewart Christie in Edinburgh.

I'm told the trick with keeping these badges upright is to take an old playing card and place it inside the bonnet with the bottom edge of the card just above the bottom of the band, and tack this to the lining of the bonnet. Now, run a stitch across the feather at the top of the circlet, being sure to pierce the card when you do so. This should (I am told) keep your badge from falling over.

Best regards,

Scott

During my time in the army ( long, long ago ), we found that a piece of plastic was much better than card. Didn't go soggy and stayed in shape. Eyelets on back of badge went through bonnet and then plastic. Secured with split pin.....Robbie