Feathers in your cap

[Tobus]

Not from Scottish history, but there is a documented story from the American Revolution of Loyalists under Major Patrick Ferguson's command in the Southern campaign wearing sprigs of evergreen in their hats to identify themselves as "The King's Men". Given Ferguson's Scottish nativity, it is quite possible the idea came from Scotland, although I certainly make no hard & fast claims that is its origin.

Of course, and I have even seen reference to at least one Scottish battle (don't remember which one) where one side wore oat sprigs on their lapels, or something like that, as a similar identifier.

And it makes all the sense in the world if it's only your side wearing them. But when every Highlander is wearing a sprig of some sort of plant in his hat, quick identification isn't quite so easy. From a distance of 20 yards, you can't readily identify it from dozens of others which may be very similar in appearance. But if only your side has plants in their bonnets, it's much easier.

At any rate, it has undoubtedly become a modern tradition; there's no disputing that. But I think there's still plenty of doubt as to whether Highlanders before the Revival period really used plant badges to identify fellow clansmen. Beyond romantic folklore, and looking at it objectively and realistically, the notion seems a tad absurd.