Toorie Question

[Santa Kona]

I though I read somewhere that it was to ID officers during battle. But not a historian by a long shot.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I though I read somewhere that it was to ID officers during battle.

I'm not sure that was the case. I have an engraving dated 1784 which shows two Highland officers wearing glengarry bonnets with a panache of ostrich plumes on the left side denoting their status as officers. I suspect that it is most likely that the toorie evolved as a purely decorative addition to the commonly worn blue bonnet and has no secondary military meaning.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

double post

[N. Campbell]

Thanks to all who replied to this thread and added to the discussion thus far.

I contacted a gentleman with the Black Watch thinking someone within the regiment would surely be able to shed some light on why a red colour toorie was placed on the crown of the bonnet. However, I was not able to found out anything other than it is just the traditional coulour they have always worn. If there ever was any special meaning behind the red toorie it very well may be lost to time.