Grouse Foot Kilt Pin

[azwildcat96]

I know there has been a lot of discussion on other threads about the grouse foot kilt pins. After doing a search, and reading through them all, I am still a little confused.

1) There was mention that these were historically worn by women in Scotland, and not men. Can anyone confirm this?

2) There was a question regarding whether the foot should point up or down. As some have a stone on the "wrist" it would seem reasonable to point the foot down and see the stone at the top, but as some have a stags head on them (around the middle "finger"), pointing down would place the stags head upside-down. Is there an appropriate orientation?

I really like these, and want one, but was hoping for some more information first...Help...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I know there has been a lot of discussion on other threads about the grouse foot kilt pins. After doing a search, and reading through them all, I am still a little confused.

1) There was mention that these were historically worn by women in Scotland, and not men. Can anyone confirm this?

2) There was a question regarding whether the foot should point up or down. As some have a stone on the "wrist" it would seem reasonable to point the foot down and see the stone at the top, but as some have a stags head on them (around the middle "finger"), pointing down would place the stags head upside-down. Is there an appropriate orientation?

I really like these, and want one, but was hoping for some more information first...Help...

If you really like the Grouse Claw kilt pin, then by all means get one. They enjoyed great popularity for a time, but gradually fell out of favour because they tended to snag a lady's gown when dancing. Generally speaking the toes of the claw should face down for a gentleman's kilt and up for a lady's brooch (which is why the stag's head appears to be upside down in relation to the claws). For what it's worth you might want to check out Ebay UK and see if you can't find a silver mounted Grouse Claw from the 1930s-50s when these items were exquisitely produced.

[Jock Scot]

My mother certainly wore one and they were often seen with the kilt on dressier occasions.