Pre 1900 Tam's

[OC Richard]

A quite different thing, the military Tam O Shanter, was introduced around 1914.

It was constructed in a completely different manner, being made from a length of flat woven wool cloth which was cut into several pieces according to a pattern, just as a cotton shirt is made from a length of flat woven cotton cloth.

Here's the newspaper article heralding its invention. Interestingly the article calls them "Balmorals" which name didn't stick- they were soon dubbed "Tam O Shanter" referencing Robert Burns' famous character.

BTW about the "time-honoured Glengarry" it had only been adopted for Highland soldiers 45 years earlier.



In this photo you can clearly see the seam running round the hat's circumference. Traditional Scottish bonnets have no such seam.



A traditional bonnet, now called "Balmoral" bonnet, showing the lack of seam around the circumference.

[OC Richard]

What did NOT exist historically are the enormous floppy Rastafarian hats seen in the show Outlander.

The top image shows Highlanders present at the Battle of Culloden, 1746. The artist's subjects were actual participants in the battle, dressed in the clothes they wore when captured.

As you can see the bonnets are blue and fairly small.

Also note the kaleidoscope of bright tartans.

Below that painting is a photo of the depiction of Culloden in the show Outlander.

As you can see the bonnets are ludicrous.

Also note that all the tartans are grey and brown, and the clothes quite muted colours.