Hat for a Prince Charlie Outfit... not Balmoral or Gelngary

[Peter Crowe]

Congratulations on your installation! It's a lot of work but ultimately very rewarding.

Masonic Protocol around the Master's hat varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In Massachusetts, the Master is entitled to (but not required to) wear a hat when presiding over the Lodge, and official protocol is clear that a top hat is the only type of hat to be worn. (Except for the Grand Master, who wears a tricorn.) If your jurisdiction requires you to wear a hat but is not specific about what kind, it seems like a Glengarry would indeed be the least fussy traditional option to put on and take off for things like prayers/pledge of allegiance/etc.

I believe Masters in Vermont wear a hat that is supposed to evoke a more medieval/renaissance look: http://www.masonicexchange.com/Product-466.aspx



While non-traditional in a Highland dress sense, that might perhaps look less odd with a kilt than a top hat?

To follow up on what Usonian says above, the Boston Kilwinning Club degree team (many of whom are PM's, and at least one PDDGM and one PGM) wear kilts and PC's while conferring a degree (using GLMA ritual). Their Presiding Master from the degree team wears a Glengarry.

I personally prefer the Balmoral but for Masonic purposes I would recommend a plain dark Glengarry with the Square and Compasses clan crest style badge.