Kilt Pin Position

[Nanook]

Is there a hard and fast rule for the location of the Kilt pin? I mean, distance from the corner of the apron. (No, ya Philistines, I wasn't gonna put it in the MIDDLE!!!! )

If you must wear a kilt pin its the right hand side of the outer apron on the second sett (bottom and right). It should only be used to secure the inner apron during the worst winds. Neither in battle nor on parade there is probably no function to the pin other than as a "traditional" ornament.
My hard and fast rule for the location of the Kilt pin? Typically in a box or bag but not on a kilt.

[JimB]

Wearing my kilt at work the other day taught me that kilt pins and desks do not play well together. For a desk worker the kilt pin should probably stay in the sporran.

[Bob C]

I've got to disagree with Nanook. NEVER secure the outer apron to the inner. The kilt won't hang right.

I wear it two-to-three inches in from the edge and up from the bottom, at the intersection of a prominent line of the tartan.

The kilt pin is a nice part of the ensemble and helps the outfit look finished. Wear it.

[Nanook]

I've got to disagree with Nanook. NEVER secure the outer apron to the inner. The kilt won't hang right.

In a gusty storm its not about kilts "hanging right". When weather is not windy enough to have call to secure the outer and inner aprons then the pin should remain in the outer apron. Regimental kilts are stiff and heavy but even with a large horse hair sporran there is a point when kilts fly like Marilyn Monroe's dress in "Seven Year Itch". Luckily few of us will ever be exposed to such nasty winds--- and, in the least, not be standing around in kilts.

[Caradoc]

In a gusty storm its not about kilts "hanging right".

Luckily few of us will ever be exposed to such nasty winds--- and, in the least, not be standing around in kilts.

My wedding at Edinburgh Castle on Oct 31 was quite windy - to the point that my bride and the taxi driver both commented on how even my 16oz wool kilt was getting within centimeters of exposing me to the world as I mailed our announcements from the mailbox at the bottom of the hill within the Castle.

I had no problems at all with the aprons - I was wearing a rather heavy pin on the front apron. The back pleats were catching air, though...

It's even visible in this shot:

[scoutniagara]

Caradoc,

What a lovely photo! What tartan is the piper wearing? Wallace?

Recently, I took a look at one of my pins on one of my kilts and decided to move it. I had placed it right on one of the stripes, and you could barely see the pin. I moved it over to a more solid section and you can see it more clearly, now.

[Hamish]

I am absolutely with Matt on this. Never, ever, pin the two aprons together! If you should catch the pin on a piece of furniture, or some other immovable object (and it is easily done), you will rip or pull the fabric of one or both aprons. Personally, I have never experienced this but, in my 55+ years of kilt wearing, I have seen several instances of badly torn aprons where the pins had been caught.

Few kilt pins are heavy enough to hold down the apron in a wind and they really should not be thought of as being anything other than decorative.

As for the position of the pin (the original question!): there are no rules and, again, I agree with Matt - let your eye decide where it should be. Usually, I aim for a spot about three inches in from the apron's fringe and about four inches up from the selvedge, but it really depends upon the tartan as the pin looks best when 'centred' between stripes.

[Caradoc]

As for the position of the pin (the original question!): there are no rules and, again, I agree with Matt - let your eye decide where it should be.

I have one rule - the pin has to be "inside" the line from where the front apron is attached to a strap straight down to the selvedge. If you put the pin closer to the fringe than that line, it'll flap all over the place depending on how severe the taper is on your apron.

[Nanook]

I am absolutely with Matt on this. Never, ever, pin the two aprons together! If you should catch the pin on a piece of furniture, or some other immovable object (and it is easily done), you will rip or pull the fabric of one or both aprons.

I'd leave the pin off near furniture. Given the lack of gusty winds, save in the eye of a hurricane, they are just show. Kept even to the outer apron there are still more than enough chances for something to go wrong. If you must wear a pin I'd make sure that the area is fortified (some makers beef up the cloth in the region with some form of leather).

Personally, I have never experienced this but, in my 55+ years of kilt wearing, I have seen several instances of badly torn aprons where the pins had been caught.

And I'd guess all with their pins attached well mannered to their outer aprons.

Few kilt pins are heavy enough to hold down the apron in a wind and they really should not be thought of as being anything other than decorative.

Agree. There are occasions for pins but, in general, ...

[Caradoc]

Caradoc,

What a lovely photo! What tartan is the piper wearing? Wallace?

I didn't really have time to ask him, but his website says it's the Ramsay tartan.

He's Pipe Major Roderick Deans, and he's really quite good.