Monochrome?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

For illustrative purposes here is a colored version of the badge (not exactly the style I want to use, but it shows the two elements of the crest and the color of the wreath):



Any assistance offered will be greatly appreciated.

From a strictly heraldic point of view the strap should either be "proper" (the colour of leather, which is assumed to be brown or russet) or the first named colour of the livery of the chief. The lettering should be the first named metal, and the furniture (buckle and tab) gold.

As to the strap itself, the end of the strap should pass over itself, not tucked under itself as in the illustration, above. (Tucked under or "knotted in base" is how the insignia of the garter is displayed.)

Unless you motto is "Honest Sweat Makes Smelly Pants" it is doubtful that a blue strap with a gold buckle will be confused with the insignia of the Order of the Garter.

Mike McLaren's book, The Book of Crests ISBN 1-55613-401-0, published by Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie MD 20716 (tel: (301) 390-7709) has an excellent illustration of the Hanny clan badge on pg. 99 which you would probably be well advised to show your ink-slinger before he starts work. Please note that the strap & buckle are wrong, so don't have him copy it.

Colour or monochrome? It's up to you. If a tattooist is extremely skilled, there is no doubt he can make a B&W tattoo look fantastic... the tricky part will be the way in which he handles the all-black crest...

David Pope and I attended a dinner last year in honour of the Lord Lyon. At that dinner the Lyon was at pains to point out that his authority is limited to Scotland, and to Scotland only. That said, it must be remembered that the jurisdiction of a clan chief is universal; that is, it is without boundaries. Most chiefs, however, respect the opinion of the Lyon, and as a result request that clan folk refrain from displaying the clan badge in any manner whatsoever, other than as a cap badge or lapel pin.

Last, but certainly not least, whatever you do, do not put your name (or that of your clan) on your tattoo. The scroll with "Hannay" on it is just plain wrong.

[Brian K]

Unless you motto is "Honest Sweat Makes Smelly Pants" it is doubtful that a blue strap with a gold buckle will be confused with the insignia of the Order of the Garter.

Thank you, sir. Clever word play is my favorite form of humor!