torrie's

**mcvarmit** · 18th April 08, 01:48 PM

i've been sewing my own glengarry bonnets, using MoiRandalls pattern. been using linen and cotton instead of wool, anyway i'm making the torrie out of yarn and got to wondering, what was the significance of the torrie? does it represent
something historical? or was it just a fashion statement? inquiring mind want to know!

semper fi

Slick

**berserkbishop** · 18th April 08, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by mcvarmit

i've been sewing my own glengarry bonnets, using MoiRandalls pattern. been using linen and cotton instead of wool, anyway i'm making the torrie out of yarn and got to wondering, what was the significance of the torrie? does it represent
something historical? or was it just a fashion statement? inquiring mind want to know!

semper fi

Slick

I think it makes the bonnet look kind of costumey myself. I would rather have any hat, glengarry or balmoral, without a torrie even if it is heracy.

BB

**macwilkin** · 18th April 08, 01:59 PM

Pure speculation on my part, but the toorie is most likely a left-over from the old kilmarnock bonnet. Like many items of military kit, what was once practical has taken a purely "ceremonial" role.

Regards,

Todd

**beloitpiper** · 18th April 08, 01:56 PM

Yeah, I'm not a huge torrie fan (but my pipe band requires them). My guess is that they were just decorative.

**Jack Daw** · 18th April 08, 02:05 PM

Something for the enemy to aim at.

**macwilkin** · 18th April 08, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

Something for the enemy to aim at.

Not far off of an explanation, really...we tend to forget that in the 18th and 19th centuries, military uniforms in general were supposed to be "eye-catching" as a form of intimidation -- witness bearskins, feather bonnets, read coats, etc. -- only rifle and light infantry units really adopted any type of camoflague by wearing green uniforms.

Regards,

Todd

**mcvarmit** · 18th April 08, 02:41 PM

on some level, i would agree, they can look kinda ridiculous, i've made about half a dozen glengarrys using desert and woodland camo. i've found that my tastes run towards having a small black torrie, they just seem to go with the style of camo glengarrys. now i will have to say the red torries on a navy blue glengarry makes me want to run and find a pair of scissors. thats just my opinion.

semper fi

Slick

**The Wizard of BC** · 18th April 08, 03:33 PM

Old knit bonnets were knit from the headband up to the top. The loose threads were then tied off in a pom-pom to finish everything off.
I would tend to believe this was much the same.

**Ryan Ross** · 18th April 08, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Old knit bonnets were knit from the headband up to the top. The loose threads were then tied off in a pom-pom to finish everything off.
I would tend to believe this was much the same.

I've also heard that they were used as a way to identify officers, in battle... that said, the knitting theory, above, is the one that has always sounded most likely to me.

**mcvarmit** · 19th April 08, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Old knit bonnets were knit from the headband up to the top. The loose threads were then tied off in a pom-pom to finish everything off.
I would tend to believe this was much the same.

well this makes the most sense to me. as far as spelling goes, hell i'm a lousy speller anyway, randall's glengarry pattern spells it torrie, so go figure.

semper fi

slick