Balmorals and Glengarrys

[St. Amish]

I don't believe davedove called it the seal of the US Army, but referred to it as the Army crest

It's not that either. That's the Great Seal of the United States, used by the President.

[BoldHighlander]

It's not that either. That's the Great Seal of the United States.

Yes, I know
Thanks.

[St. Amish]

Yes, I know
Thanks.

I'm not trying to be condescending. I hope it didn't come off that way. Apologies if offense was taken.

The devices are mislabeled.

If someone wanted the Seal of The United States Army, the recruiter badge is a hefty little piece of metal that's about the right shape, and should be available at any surplus store. I guess that raises the afore mentioned issue of wearing actual military devices on civilian clothing though.

[BoldHighlander]

I'm not trying to be condescending. I hope it didn't come off that way. Apologies if offense was taken.

No, no, not at all; & no apologies needed or necessary

[svc40bt]

It's not that either. That's the Great Seal of the United States, used by the President.

The president actually has his own seal. The Great Seal is kept by the Department of State. The obverse (eagle) side of the Great Seal of the United States is duplicated as various US military uniform insignia.

[thescot]

Here is the EGA stylized clan type pin I have on my balmoral.



I also have one of these, but it's to heavy I don't wear it on my bonnet anymore. It kind of made the thing sag down in front.



I occassionally weat this one, too.

[Paul]

That looks great!

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I have always worn a Balmoral, never a Glengarry. Both have a military tradition but the Glen has been worn pretty exclusively over the Balmoral by Highland Regiment pipe bands since the mid to latter 19th century. Most pipe bands seem to wear the Glen now but bands in the 70s in the US and Canada when I started mostly wore Balmorals. The Balmoral obviously has the longer tradition as a "bunnet" of the two, pre-dating any formal military association when it was a knitted broad bonnet. Glens just seem more of a military-style hat to me, part of a uniform more than just a hat to wear but maybe that's just me.

I have two classic Balmorals, one black and the other Navy, both with black Petersham cockades and with these I do wear a clan cap badge (MacRae, my adopted clan).

A few years back I purchased a third, little different style Balmoral from Mossie Croft in navy, though their's is a lighter blue than the black/blue my other one is. It is actually pieced together along the lines of a WWII style military Balmoral but not exactly. I traded a couple of emails with the gal there (I think they are in Northen Ireland) and she had designed this herself, inspired by military versions, as it is a little more versatile in how you can wear it. They will add a cockade and/or a sewn bow if you like, and whatever color toorie you like as well. They got rid of the gross grain ribbon around the headband, so it is very comfortable to wear. I didn't put the cockade on this one, so don't wear any bling on it and it looks very civil.



http://cgi.ebay.com/BALMORAL-BONNET-...item518d89c93f

BTW, I do tie my ribbons into a bow on the back, except for the one that I ordered with the sewn bow. Surprised nobody has mentioned the tradition associated with that.

[PneumoniaHawk]

Would wearing a Poppy instead of clan or other cap badges be looked upon in bad taste?

[Jock719]

Would wearing a Poppy instead of clan or other cap badges be looked upon in bad taste?

my poppy is beside the clan basge on my balmoral,looks fine. Im an ex serviceman and its quite common to see a poppy behind or beside a clan or regimental badge. Might look a little bare just on its own though