Selecting a Kilt Pin

[MacBean]

I like hand-made things and am considering a new kilt pin. I don't especially care for swords or axes or Celtic kitch. Prince Charles uses a simple kilt safety pin (probably silver). MacPherson of Cluny has a silver clan badge with the three feathers. I can't quite make out MacKintosh of MacKintosh's pin, but it looked like a cat . I bought my wife an antique silver penanular pin from Iona, they're fairly easy to come by and very nice. She thinks it looks more like a brooch than a kilt pin. I have a nice brass Clan Chattan or MacKintosh badge pin in a style no longer made. And that's all I know. oh, I have a collection of cut stones from my days in Brazil - some of those could be made into pins.

I realize there probably aren't rules in a crowd that uses salmon flies for pins and rubber chickens for sporrans, but any recommendations or ideas would be nice.

[Jock Scot]

For me, I think that the safety/blanket type pin is just right.Silver if possible.

[WClarkB]

I admit to enjoying the simple forms of celtic knots and the weight it adds. I understand the historicity of the safety pin type pin, and your preference howver.

[piperdbh]

Ooohhh, I get to answer right after Jock Scot!

Unless you're in a 'pipe band, there are no rules about which pin you can/can't wear. You can wear a sword pin, a penanular broach, a stick pin with a clown on it, or whatever else you like. I have a silver dogwood pin, an enameled dogwood pin which is white and green, a brass stand of 'pipes pin, and a "traditional" sword-type pin. If you wear something other than a "traditional" kilt, pin, be ready to talk about it with anyone who asks.

[bricelythgoe]

For me, I think that the safety/blanket type pin is just right.Silver if possible.

I agree.

[MacBean]

Yes, the simple pin is elegant, but a missed opportuntiy. Fill me in here...you said "unless you are in a 'pipe band". What are the traditional pins and the traditions? How do you tell a kilt pin from a brooch or is there no difference?

[piperdbh]

Yes, the simple pin is elegant, but a missed opportuntiy. Fill me in here...you said "unless you are in a 'pipe band". What are the traditional pins and the traditions? How do you tell a kilt pin from a brooch or is there no difference?

If you're in a 'pipe band, you wear whatever the 'Pipe Major tells you to wear, as he/she decides what comprises the uniform. By "traditional", I meant one of the claymore/clan crest pins.

[ccga3359]

I tend to stay away from the Scottish looking kilt pins. I choose kilt pins based on me or my interests. Maple Leaf, a small hammer, a coil of gold rope. I resently picked up what is considered a brooch on EBay (cheap and unique scource of kilt pins) that will compliment a tartan that I just ordered.

However be warned a sword kilt pin is mojo. My first kilt pin was a sword and I got a lot of interest from the ladies when first kilted. One day I lent it to a fellow kiltie (for the interest of public safety Improv1 shall not be named - Yes I'm looking at you, Dick of Canboro, in southern Ontario.). Bam he starts getting all the interest and since that time nary a friggin kilt check! I don't like Dick anymore, he stole my mojo and won't give it back!

For kilt pins there are no rules, no conventions. Have fun with it wear something that compliments you. Illigitimus Non Carborundum, Dude.

[fluter]

See this thread for some interesting pins of all kinds.

[Strings]

In a tartan, I usually go with the oversize safety pin. In my UK, I wear an old Triumph Motorcycles pin.