Traditionally the wearing of eagle feathers has indicated rank within a Scottish clan and it is the norm that a Chief would wear three (see right) and an Armiger would wear one, both of which are traditionally set in stone, but what of the use of two?
Well, this is a bit more ambiguous although it has always been assumed to be the right of clan Chieftains only, but is this still the case? There are very few Scottish clans with Chieftains if any and as such the use of two feathers has progressively become far more open to internal clan interpretation, permissions and appointments. As an aside, a Chieftain is a rank that can only be acknowledged by a Chief as is the right to wear two feathers. On the norm however the precedent has been set in history, although chieftains are still being appointed by their Chief.
In the case of Carruthers, there is only really one, possibly two branches that may be considered to hold the rank of Chieftain if this was ever to be the case, but again this is not an automatic right nor may not happen any time soon I feel.
So, where did this set of guidelines and often quoted rules come from?
The use of eagle feathers in Scottish clan bonnets largely became formalised during the Victorian era, when many Highland traditions were revived, organised, and sometimes reinvented. Prior to this period, there is little clear evidence that specific numbers of feathers denoted any rank within a clan. In the 17th and 18th centuries Highlanders did often decorate their bonnets with:
- Eagle or other large bird feathers.
- Sprigs of plants (such as pine, juniper or heather – the first clan ‘badge’)
- Occasionally badges of metal or cloth.
These were generally personal or tactical decorations, not strict indicators of rank. Warriors might wear feathers simply as a martial ornament to display prowess or offer clarification to their compatriots on the field of battle. Contemporary illustrations and descriptions from the Jacobite period show feathers, but these do not follow a regulated numbering system ie clan/family rank.
The Victorian codification of the use of feathers and why eagle feathers?
- The golden eagle was an iconic Highland bird associated with strength and nobility.
- Large feathers were visually striking when worn in a bonnet.
- They echoed older martial decorations used by Highland warriors.
NB. Based on the protection and conservation of the species, it is illegal in many countries to include the UK to own eagle feathers without the proper paperwork giving permission to do so, as such and outwith ceremonial occasions, the feathers are normally portrayed on a clan or armiger’s badge.
The modern system of specifying the amount of feathers used and denoting clan rank appeared mainly in the 19th century. This development was tied to the wider romantic revival of Highland culture based on several influences:
- The romanticisation of Highland society promoted by Sir Walter Scott.
- The elaborate Highland pageantry organised for the 1822 visit of King George IV to Edinburgh.
- The growing interest in clan identity and tartans among the Scottish aristocracy and gentry at the time.
As such, during the Victorian period, clan societies and heraldic writers began to standardise visual symbols of clan hierarchy. Feathers became an easy way to distinguish individuals during Highland gatherings, military reviews, and ceremonial events, but even today you woill see three and one feather worn but very few bonnets will be found with two Eagle feathers, but that is changing. The trend of using feathers to denote position/office in a Scottish clan or family is now more widespread and can also be seen in the bonnets of surnames not only from the highlands but from the lowland and border clans and families as well.
The question is, how does this sit with the Scottish heraldic authorities?
While the Scottish heraldic authority i.e. the Court of the Lord Lyon, regulates coats of arms and through allowing the bearing of the chiefly arms, chiefs, the feather system itself was never formally legislated by the court. Instead, it became a social convention adopted by clans during the Victorian period, as previously stated.
By the late 19th century and moving into the 20th century, the convention generally followed this pattern where chieftains wore two feathers. As an aside it has always been the Chief’s’ right to appoint Chieftains within his/her own clan although only lately has it become more common place and the move by Clan Hunter springs instantly to mind.
However, it is not simply those recognised as Chieftains who these days may be permitted to wear two feathers, as this distinctive badge is now used to mark a senior clan officer who has the authority to act as a representative of the Chief. This acknowledges not only responsibility but long service, loyalty and effort and is used to distinguish the same during clan gatherings and ceremonies.
As such the practice of wearing feathers behind crest badges is largely a matter of clan custom and is purely at the Chief’s discretion. This is therefore only relevant if a clan or family has a Chief in post who is officially recognised by the Lyon Court as Carruthers and many other Scottish clans are. Interestingly the roles of Shennachie and (High) Commissioners, may be recognised by the Lyon after the fact and although the Lyon does not ‘do’ feathers, the Canadian Heraldic Authority may include feathers in their grants.
Modern Clan Practice
As previously stated, in modern clan societies, particularly those active in Scotland, North America, and Australasia, Chiefs may and do permit two feathers to be worn by members of his/her Clan:
- Certain Members of a Chief’s Council.
- Regional Commissioners (As members of a Chief’s Council).
- Leaders of major family branches (i.e. Chieftains).
These are not appointments within a clan society itself, but appointments by the Chief within and for his clan or family.
| Feathers | Strict Heraldic Interpretation | Customary and Modern Clan Use |
|---|---|---|
| Three Feathers | Clan Chief | Clan Chief |
| Two Feathers | Chieftain of a cadet branch (only two Scottish clans would be considered large enough to have Chieftains, both Highland), or the Chief’s heirs. | Senior clan officers, authorised by the chief to wear two feathers. |
| One Feather | Armiger, by right of legally bearing personal arms. | Armiger, by right of legally bearing personal arms. |
| No feathers | Clan / Family member. | Clan / Family member. |
In Summary
The strap-and-buckle crest badge itself has always symbolised allegiance to the chief and should be worn with pride. The feather custom developed largely during the 19th-century Highland revival, particularly after the influence of writers such as Sir Walter Scott and events like the royal visit of King George IV to Edinburgh in 1822, which helped formalise and in fact initiated many modern clan traditions.
The use of two feathers in a bonnet is still pretty ambiguous but what isn’t is it remains under the auspices and jurisdiction of a Clan Chief who is in post through the auspices of the Lord Lyon and as such, by Royal recognition. It therefore, the use of two feathers have in the past wrongfully been considered to simply define the Chieftain of a clan. However, Chieftains are very few on the ground in Scottish clans and therefore this can only in part be true, as there are only two clans large enough who historically could have had chieftains and they are both of highland origin.
Are the feathers worn always real?
As wearing actual feathers is kept for the more ceremonial occasions if at all, it has therefore become more common place for the feathers to be cast as part of the badge of the wearer, usually in either silver or pewter. This can be a clan badge within a circlet, or if an armiger behind their personal badge as can be seen below.
Regarding the use of two feathers by folks appointed by their Chiefs, the following clans are using them as a manner of privilege and to name but a few – McEwen, Urquhart, Mackay, MacNicol, Donald, Gregor, Farquharson, Grant, Lamont and Sinclair. Their use is therefore becoming more common place but in all cases in Clan society, the decision would sit firmly with the Chief. If permitted the Officer would bear two feathers as a visual identity of his rank and status, usually when on official duties i.e. at a clan/family gathering, festivals or while representing the Chief in some official capacity.
The use of three feathers or one feather however remains in accordance with standard heraldic precedent i.e. chief 3 and armiger 1, while the use of two must be considered the highest honour that a clan Chief can bestow on his officers for their efforts and work and should be recognised as such.
If it ever were to happen for members of Carruthers, an official and personal letter would be issued by our Chief to the named individual whom I’m certain would feel privileged to receive such an honour and would of course wear these feathers with pride and gratitude on the appropriate occasions.
Promptus et Fidelis
Non Sto Solus
