Scottish Bonnets?

[hkjrb623]

I'm interested in getting a balmoral. Actually, I'm not exactly sure what to call it. I've seen names like tam, balmoral, and bonnet. So, what is the proper term. I've never liked these hats in the past and avoided them at all cost. Now my opinion has changed and I would like to get one. I'm looking for one that's simple. No dicing, strange tassle/ribbon off the back, and maybe no pom on top. Anyone know of a good place to look. Preferably not bank breaking prices either.

[Mael Coluim]

Scottish Tartans Museum can have made for to your specifications. Click here.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/rabby_bonnets.html

[MacRob46]

The current apellation is Balmoral Bonnet, at least with the ribbon and "tourie" on top, dicing being optional as it is a military decoration. I think that dates from Victorian times. The original headgear was referred to as a Broad Bonnet and was nothing more than a knitted disc for a top with a "band", for lack of a better term, and perhaps a ribbon for adjustment to the head size. They were never made of tartan in the old days and while various color fabric was used, a sort of medium blue seems to have been ubiquitous.

The Tartans Museum sells these and they can also be had from The Smoke and Fire Company. Both have retail shops online. We are considering making some for our company to sell but just have not moved in that direction yet. Broad bonnets are available in a variety of prices.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

This is a Balmoral bonnet.

The "pom-pom" on the top is called a toorie. It's pretty much standard on Balmorals. So is the ribbon in the back, which people either wear loose or tied in a neat bow (my preference). You can order one with or without a diced band. Black is a fairly standard color, but others are available. The patch of ribbon on the side is where you would affix your clan badge.

By comparison, this is a Glengarry.

Different style, but you have the same features/options as you do with the Balmoral, only the ribbons in the back are always worn loose with this cap, never tied.

The style of cap Mael Coluim was recommending is our hand knit bonnet.

This is an older style, and a forerunner of the modern Balmoral. These are knit to order, and do not include the ribbon patch for a clan badge, nor the grosgrain ribbon in the back. They can be ordered with or without the toorie on top, and also come in a variety of colors.

[tyger]

Ryan Ross, on this forum, makes hand-felted bonnets. I have 2 and they are super!

Here is one that he made, color of bonnet matches my eye color.

[madmacs]

And this would be a modern regimental tam o'shanter shown with tartan badge backing, badge and hackle (none of which has to be used)

It is similar to the balmoral except it's a smaller diameter and is of a stitched construction for the body rather than being a single piece.

[RAF]

The style of cap Mael Coluim was recommending is our hand knit bonnet.

I like this! Now I just need to decide on a color, and toorie or no toorie. Hmm

[Cowher]

No one wears it quite like Ryan. I need to sit and figure out what I'm doing wrong.
ith:

[mookien]

No one wears it quite like Ryan. I need to sit and figure out what I'm doing wrong.
ith:

You're not doing anything wrong. Nor, am I. We just didn't inherit those intense eyes and penetrating look from our fathers, like Ryan did.

[Ryan Ross]

You're not doing anything wrong. Nor, am I. We just didn't inherit those intense eyes and penetrating look from our fathers, like Ryan did.

I think both of you fellows look excelent in your bonnets!

That's the cool thing about bonnets (and I find it especially true of hand knit ones, but then again, I may be biased ) everyone wears theirs in a slightly different way, and it's a very personal item. And even though different folks wear them differently, they tend to look good on most everyone.

How interesting would it be if any given type of bonnet looked the same on everyone's head? ith: