Robert Mackie Bonnets Available from Scotland Shop

[OC Richard]

Ha!

For sure they originally always seemed to be blue.



The Highlanders of Scotland (1860s) of course is by far the largest collection of colour portraits showing pre-modern Highland Dress. I just looked through and I only spotted one non-blue bonnet. I appears to be black.



Then there's the series of illustrations apparently done around 1900 showing men (and one woman) in Highland costume, the purpose being to illustrate various Clan tartans. Some men are in ornate late Victorian Highland Dress, others are fantasy illustrations showing 'ancient Highlanders' (similar to the RR McIan fantasy illustrations). These illustrations seem to have been initially published by W & AK Johnstone (Edinburgh) between 1901 and 1907, and later in book form around the end of WWI.

All the bonnets appear to be blue save for two that appear to be mid-grey, and one green bonnet on a fantasy 'ancient Highlander'.

Here's a selection but the grey bonnets (Buchanan and MacLennan) aren't shown. Ross shows the green one. (Nary a sword that's not unsheathed!)