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The
origin of the Scottish custom of displaying a Golden Eagle feather, or
feathers, is not clear; however, the Court of the Lord Lyon provides
guidelines for entitlement to display one or more Golden Eagle feather(s)
at
http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/242.html and, at least in
Scotland, that protocol is respected. Real Golden Eagle feathers are
displayed tucked behind a crest badge on a Balmoral or Glengarry cap so
that the large pointed end of the feather projects above, with the quill
is tucked behind the badge, as a mark of rank in a clan/family. The
custom is not exactly heraldic, but it is observed and respected in
Scotland.
Sadly,
not all descendants of expatriate Scots understand the meaning of the
display of feathers, as evidenced by those often seen at overseas
Highland Games events around the world. At some such events there are
so many feathers being displayed it must terrify the remaining
population of the Golden Eagle, now considered an endangered species in
Scotland.
In
practice, most hereditary Clan Chiefs, subsidiary Chiefs and Scots
Armigers (those who have the right to bear personal arms) now choose to
display feathers as part of a Silver crest badge with a plain circlet
surrounding the crest from their personal arms and embossed with their
personal motto. Genuine Golden Eagle feathers are usually displayed
only on ceremonial occasions.
While
customs associated with Scottish clans and heraldry are governed by the
laws of Scotland, I have always considered that those of us who seek to
celebrate our membership in a clan should follow the rules anywhere in
the world. What we are celebrating is, after all, a Scottish tradition.
Pipers
in pipe band uniform also display a device made from Cock feathers
splayed, usually behind the badge on a Glengarry. Side drummers and
rank and file soldiers in Highland Regiments, when wearing the full
dress uniform, wear a Feather Bonnet made with black Ostrich feathers
and a feather hackle in White (or Red for The Black Watch Unit).
Drum Corporal Neil Fraser (16) Cadet Pipes
and Drums, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
During
the 1992 Scottish World Festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, there was
a Highland Games event held adjacent to the fort on St. Helen’s Island,
home of the re-raised 78th Fraser Highlanders. Clan Fraser
Society of Canada shared a large tent with the 78th Frasers
and had an information table where I was on duty to recruit new
members. There was a large crowd in attendance that day with visitors
from all over Canada and the U.S. Most men wore the kilt and many were
sporting feathers in their bonnets so that the field was a sea of
various feathers, large and small. I was standing at the Clan Fraser
desk when a large gentleman wearing three feathers on his Balmoral,
accompanied by his wife, ducked under the opening to the tent and came
up to the desk. Having seen so many people displaying all manner of
feathers, I looked at him and asked: “Do you understand the meaning of
the feathers you are wearing?” He looked sternly at me and said: “I
bloody well should, I am Sir Torquil Matheson of Matheson, Chief of Clan
Matheson” (and so he was). To make up for my rudeness, I invited Sir
Torquil to join me in the private area at the rear of the tent where I
had a litre bottle of Glenfiddich single malt (for emergency purposes
only). Lady Matheson and my wife Marie, who had witnessed the exchange,
thought it was hilarious. After a few drams, Sir Torquil had forgiven
me and we had a lively discussion about how many feathers were being
displayed, inappropriately, on the field. We parted fast friends and
kept in touch until Sir Torquil passed away a few years later and was
succeeded by his younger brother. |
