Balmorals and Glengarrys

[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

[Jock Scot]

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

I am quite sure that no one could even consider that as bad taste. I have also seen the poppy worn behind a clan badge, above a clan badge and alongside a clan badge and no one has even mentioned bad taste. Me? I still prefer the button hole in my lapel. More important than where the poppy is worn, is the fact that we take the time and as much expense as we possibly can afford to buy a poppy, to help and remember all those that allow us the freedoms that we enjoy today.

"Lest we forget."

[Jock719]

I am quite sure that no one could even consider that as bad taste. I have also seen the poppy worn behind a clan badge, above a clan badge and alongside a clan badge and no one has even mentioned bad taste. Me? I still prefer the button hole in my lapel. More important than where the poppy is worn, is the fact that we take the time and as much expense as we possibly can afford to buy a poppy, to help and remember all those that allow us the freedoms that we enjoy today.

"Lest we forget."

Beautifully put.

"For our tomorrows they gave their today"

[RB51]

More important than where the poppy is worn, is the fact that we take the time and as much expense as we possibly can afford to buy a poppy, to help and remember all those that allow us the freedoms that we enjoy today.

"Lest we forget."

Amen to that Jock. With so many of our troops on active duty overseas right now, it is double important to remember their sacrifice, and that of those they leave behind.

Laurie