Need advice: run in with Kilt (feather?) Police

[sirdaniel1975]

Wow, thanks everybody! You've all been very helpful and I really appreciate all the feedback. It definitely helps me a lot more to know this kind of context. I like the plant badge idea but Cochrane wasn't on that list! I'll just cross my fingers that ours is the Palm Tree so I'll have an excuse to carry around some extra shade at the next festival.

If you've done your genealogy, you might be able to choose one. I know that Chocran(e) is a common sept name in Clan Donald. That doesn't mean you're a member.. you have to do your research. Cochran's of clan Donald I believe are from Kintyre. Clan Donald's (MacDonald's) plant badge is Heather.

The name Cochran(e) is found throughout the lowlands as well, according to
G. F. Black. In his book "The Surnames of Scotland" the areas mentioned are:
Paisley, Renfrewshire, Kintyre, Lanark, Edinburgh, Linlithgow.

The older spelling of the name is MacEachern/MacKuachern.

[george7]

I'm sure you could've jeered the Aussie the same jab. He probably had the wrong type of shoes or something.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In the ultimate sense, I suppose, feathers should be considered heraldic additiments, in the same way that coronets of rank are viewed. In the Scottish system three feathers are considered the prerogative of a Chief of the Name (ie: the head of a distinct clan, someone entitled to the double patronymic [James McBain of McBain] or the use of the phrase "of that Ilk"). Two feathers are used to designate those individuals who historically had large followings but were not the paramount chief of their clan (ie: "chieftains" or barons who are entitled to append a territorial designation to their family name). The single feather is the heraldic additiment of a Scottish armiger, who may or may not possess a territorial designation (ie: a town dweller would be Ian McBain, Esq, while his kinsman in the country might be Dougal McBain of Terpersie, Terpersie being the name of his small holding in the country. Interestingly, if Dougal sold Terpersie and moved in to town he'd still be McBain of Terpersie [unless he sold the "estate" to another McBain] as "Terpersie" is now part of his name).

Strictly speaking, if one does not possess a coat of arms, one should not wear feathers. In the real world, I doubt anyone entitled to feathers would take offense at the sight of someone wearing hackles (those small fathers worn by bandsmen), as long as they could not be mistaken by the average person as indicating that the wearer had an heraldic entitlement to feathers as an armiger.

[Roan Carter]

It was good of you to handle the man so politely. When I was little my sister and I used to sing the Yankee Doodle song in the car but we replaced "hat" with "butt."

I would have told him to do what Yankee Doodle did in that version.

lol tiptoeing in a family friendly forum. >_<

[Coemgen]

As they say, a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

[Bruno]

Many hats have small feathers like trilby etc etc. Many scots wear feathers in their hats. Ignore the Auzie he was well out of touch with how feathers are used in head wear. If he can not tell an eagle from a pheasant he is not worth worrying about.

Now I am off to shove an eagle feather in my cap.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

I prefer a peacock feather myself, it stands out much more, and on top of that anyone can find you in a crowd from across the way ( the key is to have it standing straight up!) but you do tend to have to duck to get through doors......

KFP

[CDNSushi]

Oooh! Oooh! Pick me! Pick me!

How about...
...
...

wait for it...


.

An ostrich feather!!!!

[Bruno]

Gull feathers in blacks, mottled colours make a great alternative being distinctly different and large enough to be showy without being large like eagle feathers.. Avoid white.

Most people have access to this type of plumage.

[Mac Ghille Sheathanaich]

I have, in the past worn one tail feather from a Blue Grouse behind my Clan crest badge on my bonnet. It looked cool and no one ever said anything about it.

Of course here in SW Idaho, there aren't many who would have a basis to challenge me on it.

Fide et Fortitudine, aye!

Tim in Caldwell,
Clan Shaw