Pre 1900 Tam's

[Troglodyte]

Commercial and burgh records shine a spotlight on both the fashions and cultural habits of the past.

Prior to the start of the 18th century, hats (that is those forms of headwear that had a crown and brim, as opposed to bonnets) were virtually unknown in Inverness, and were the preserve of senior burghers on account of their rank, but bonnets quickly became the symbol of low birth and labouring status.

Where the bonnet remained the head-covering of choice (and more practical in many ways) social status, or rank, was shown by gentlemen opting for black bonnets, to distinguish themselves from their servants and employees or tennants who continued to wear the more common (in more ways than one!) blue bonnet.

The recent demise of Mackie's business is a reminder of how the bonnet market crashed some 300 or so years ago - along with hose production. Hose, produced in a variety of bright colours (as can be seen in contemporary pictures) were costly and time-consuming to produce, and so commanded high prices.

So the high cost of bonnets and hose today are in-keeping with the past.