Hi Shawn,

In the days before uniforms, armies needed some method of identifying who was on their side and who was not. Usually a sprig of local plant that they all agreed would represent them. Worn mostly in the hat because people look at each other's faces to recognise each other. No good if it was hidden in a pocket. So much of Scots history has been invented and romanticised that it is hard to tell what is truth and what is pure invention. Suffice to say that most, if not all, Scottish clans have a plant badge.


One English Royal Dynasty was named after their plant badge - the House of Plantagenet was named after their plant badge the planta genista (Latin) or common broom.

We have our own plant badge which is the dandelion. Worn here by four members at the Preston kilt night:


Regards

Chas