An Emblem of Scottish Identity
July 23, 2024
Fraternal ribbon badges were worn on a member’s lapel for meetings, conventions, and other gatherings. They served to identify members of a fraternal group both to fellow members and to the general public. Some ribbon badges were colored or designed differently for the different occasions that a member might attend. This ribbon badge provided its owner with two options—one side for somber occasions and one side for festive occasions.
One side of this badge is plaid with silver printed text: “CLAN / MCLEAN / NO. 105, O. S. C. / HALIFAX, N. S.” The badge has a pin bar at the top bearing a pair of clasped hands and another bar hanging below bearing the word “Member.” Below hangs a pendant with gold filigree around a circular button with the seal of the organization: a lion on a shield on top of crossed lines (referencing Scotland’s St. Andrew’s cross flag) in the center, flanked by Scottish thistles, and the letters “B” at the top, “O. S. C.” at the bottom.
These initials stand for the Benevolent Order of Scottish Clans, a fraternal group with both American and Canadian members. The organization, which was often called the Order of Scottish Clans, was founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1878. Later headquarters were in Boston, Massachusetts. Its goals were kinship for persons of Scottish descent, financial benefits to members in case of illness or death, preservation of the cultural traditions of Scotland, freedom from political and theological sectarianism, and loyalty to the laws and governments of their countries.
Membership was initially open only to men of Scottish descent, although women’s auxiliary groups existed, such as the Daughters of Scotia, founded in Connecticut in 1895. During the latter years of the O.S.C.’s existence, in response to declining enrollment, women of Scottish descent became eligible for full membership in the order. Despite this recruitment effort, on July 22, 1972, the Order of Scottish Clans merged into the Independent Order of Foresters and became the Order of Scottish Clans High Court, I.O.F.
Clan McLean No. 105, the group noted on this object, was founded in 1892 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. W. G. Waddell, Deputy Royal Chief of the Nova Scotia O.S.C., called a meeting “with the view of organizing a clan in this city.” The group celebrated its 37th anniversary in 1929. According to the Halifax newspaper The Evening Mail, “This Clan has always actively assisted in cultivating fond recollections of Scotland, its history and traditions, its literature and ideals, its minstrelsy and song, and its customs and amusements. In past years the Scottish concerts under the auspices of the Clan, especially on Burns' Anniversary, were musical treats of a high order which were always well patronized and enjoyed by citizens of the city.”
The reverse side of this ribbon badge is solid black and bears the same inscription as the front. The badge’s owner would have chosen this more sober side on the occasion of a fraternal funeral. In November 1892, less than a year after the group formed, the Halifax Herald printed a notice that “the Officers and Members of Clan McLean are requested to attend the funeral of their late Clansman HUGH MURRAY.” Its owner may have worn the plaid side for a joyous occasion, such as annual conventions of the Order of Scottish Clans. One of these gatherings was held in Halifax in 1903. However the owner wore it, this ribbon badge was a versatile emblem of Scottish identity for its owner.