Kilt Pins

I recently dug out a kilt pin that has been in the family quite a long time and was entrusted to my care quite a while ago. It had suffered some damage which might have been why other family members did not lay claim.

After cleaning it up a bit I noticed that on the back of the little clamore were several stamps..The largest read "Edinburgh"...then there were several silver hallmarks followed by the initials R.A. (Robert Allison?) stamped in the hilt. I have since taken it in for repair by our trusted jeweler/silversmith and will gladly have it back in service in a few days. I am very happy about this.

This kilt pin got me to wondering about the old kilt pins passed down to subsequent generations in other families with strong Scottish ancestry. Sadly, in the U.S. there is a growing portion of the population who would look at a kilt pin and assume it to be a lady's brooch. Is this type of incident occurring in Scotland or are the cultural traditions and relics passed down with pride on a much grander scale? What about in other countries greatly influenced by the diaspora?

Comments?

Owen