Nice Balmorals

[Graham]

Very similar, Gray, to my recently acquired Balmoral (as seen in my new avatar). Mine is their WWI Canadian Khaki - a more serviceable colour, I thought. I have to agree that, for the price and prompt service, it seems GlengarryHats.com cannot be beaten.

As you know I am NOT a hat wearer but, since growing the beard, I think I can (just) get away with the Balmoral - but not yet in public!!

PS: The 'badge' I wear on it is one of the first generation X Marks kilt pins!

Yes Hamish, I was aware of the similarity to yours, you probably influenced me!!
I've had a black one for ages but it was always a wee bit small and tight (it's all the nice comments I get about the kilt, made my head swell).

I don't wear it casually, more for celtic events.

Hamish, you are full of surprises, first the beard, then a hat!! Glad you're not stuck in a rut
btw, that hat looks great on you

[Nanook]

Following a link here I ended up seeing this on scottishkilts.net :confused:


its direct from their sales catalogue for a solid glengarry bonnet.

(I'd hate to see what they send customers out the door with)

[Cawdorian]

I can identify with the Balmoral that is too small. Can any one tell us how and where to measure our head for a correctly fitting Balmoral? I am considering purchasing a new one in Lovat Green.

[Nanook]

I can identify with the Balmoral that is too small. Can any one tell us how and where to measure our head for a correctly fitting Balmoral? I am considering purchasing a new one in Lovat Green.

With a Balmoral or Glengarry you should measure 1-2 fingers above your eyebrows and parallel to your ears, viz. straight and level. Balmorals are typically worn 1 cm (1/2" or 1 finger) above the eyebrows and level on the head with the top pulled-over but sometimes a little bit tilted. Most often its right but we need recall that even before WW-I it was common for socialists to wear their bonnets tilted left.
If you are in between sizes (say 58 1/2 cm) then go with the next larger size (59 cm) as they tend (at least the MOD contracted bonnets) to run a bit snug. One can also aways with a bit of thread and a needle take up any difference for a perfect fit.

[McClef]

I would say it's not REMOTELY the same thing McWage.

A medal is something won/gained/earned/awarded to an individual and it is also designed to be worn in a certain way. Some medals are preserved with pride and handed down the generations but others are given away or sold and some can attract high prices at auction. The highest British UK medal, the Victoria Cross, has a record of ONE MILLION Australian dollars at auction.

A hackle is not awarded to an individual and is designed to be worn on headgear. It therefore forms part of general militaria.

Like Matt not wearing a kilt to church, your choice should be respected, nobody has to wear a hackle just as they don't have to wear a Glengarry or a Balmoral in civilian life (except when part of a band etc).

There is a huge militaria market out there, one chooses to buy there or one doesn't.

[Deil the Yin]

I must concur with Nanook on supporting the Scottish cottage industries, as well as boycotting China in general! And though I'm sure I will upset many of our Canadian members, we (my girlfriend and I) have started to boycott Canadian products and produce due to the Canadian seal hunting issue (VERY disturbing to say the least!). Which is a bit disappointing because Aunt Jemima aint got nothin' on pure Maple Syrup!!! But believe me: as a starving artist I know all too well how painful it is to pass up what seems to be economically priced stuff like those balmorals and leathers...

I also wanted to comment on the wearing of military regalia by those not in the military and some interesting symbolism of the "traditional" kilt-wear. And this is certainly not meant to be insulting to anyone IN the military, nor is it anti-military (my family has a distinctive military history)... But I conciously chose not to buy or wear any garments with my kilt outfit that reflect the British military or the British Empire. As you may have guessed I am a staunch Nationalist (Scottish and Southern), and so any symbolic reference to the House of Hanover (the black blamoral and badge backing etc) is right out, and the red toorie I believe is also a reference to the British military (so that had to go, too). In addition I find it quite inappropriate for civilians who have not served to wear military regalia at any rate, and of course, even though I am an American-Scot, I still find it quite absurd that anyone would want to wear a badge of station (ie the armiger's or chief's feather) when they obviously can not back it up.

I must say, at the risk of being inflammatory, that I find it quite ironic that a minority culture such as the Scottish Highland Gaels found partial preservation of their culture in the very oppressers and instrument of their genocide... If that's not ballsy, by golly, I dont know what is! Good gravy, NOW I'm fired up!

HERE'S TAE US! MACGREGOR DESPITE THEM!!! ARD CHOILLE!

[Bob C]

I could reccomend some fine New York State maple syrup, but you probably consider us to be occupiers of the south.

[MacWage]

Something to consider in wearing battle honors and awards.

While not EXACTLY the same thing, this may reflect some of the feeling.
Imagine someone wearing a Purple Heart as a brooch, pin, or hat badge (because they like the color), though they, their significant other, etc has not served.

How would a veteran who has earned one or has a close friend who lost a major body part in battle feel?


In the case of a hackle, I was not aware of the reasons and emotion behind them, but have not worn them.
Now, I doubt I ever will.