Glengarry Questions

[CalBlaylock]

I purchased a Glengarry a while back, and I have a few questions about the conventions of wearing it.

First, is there any rule about highland vs. lowland style of wear or symbolism? I've heard that checking means highland, or that loose ribbons mean lowland, or that tied ribbons mean highland, etc. The sources of these tidbits have each spoken with authority, but I'm not sure if they actually knew what they were talking about.

Second, assuming a plain black Glengarry, is there any rule or convention against wearing it non-kilted? I have to confess the hat (plain black, with a Douglas badge) has become a beloved favorite, and I've worn it regularly to work. I think it goes well with my black woolen overcoat.

[jumper]

It is normally worn as part of Scottish military or civilian Highland dress, either formal or informal, as an alternative to the Balmoral or tam. That being said, it's an appropriate hat to be worn by anyone with Highland formal dress, casual dress, or day wear.

The dicing, colors and ribbons are in the most part fashion, there is some differences when it comes to military v.s. civilian wear. Such as color, badges and occasions. In the civilian world it is most common in pipe bands, but regardless can be worn for any occasion just like the the Balmoral can be.

Wear what you wish, but do so respectfully.

[Tarheel]

As a military veteran, I am comfortable wearing my glengarry while kilted and when the notion occurs, while I am in slacks, jacket and tie. I have a plain black (no dicing), red tourrie with untied ribbons that I add my clan badge or a special broach as an alternative. It is as comfortable as the military "garrison" cap was when I was in service. To me, the glengarry is another cap in my arsenal. I can not comment on your other questions.

[48HofC]

Most of the Scottish regiments, highland and lowland, wore diced glengarry's in the 20th century except for the Cameron's and Cameronians who wore solid blue and solid green respectively. The glengarry started out as a headdress for all British regiments but but fell out of use with all but the Scottish who wear it to this day. The way it is worn depends on the regimental style so to speak. Civilians wear it in every manner possible, but I have yet to see anybody outside of highland games wearing one without a kilt or trews unless they are a veteran. To me it has always been a part of my uniform and I treat it as such. It equates to wearing a feather bonnet with a t shirt and shorts in my case, just odd.

[CalBlaylock]

Thank you all for your guidance. Much appreciated!

[blackwatch70]

Most of the Scottish regiments, highland and lowland, wore diced glengarry's in the 20th century except for the Cameron's and Cameronians who wore solid blue and solid green respectively. The glengarry started out as a headdress for all British regiments but but fell out of use with all but the Scottish who wear it to this day. The way it is worn depends on the regimental style so to speak. Civilians wear it in every manner possible, but I have yet to see anybody outside of highland games wearing one without a kilt or trews unless they are a veteran. To me it has always been a part of my uniform and I treat it as such. It equates to wearing a feather bonnet with a t shirt and shorts in my case, just odd.

Couple remarks about origin and evolution of glengarry:

1. In the british army first dark blue plain glengarrys have been worn by pipers of 79th Regiment of Foot (cameron Highlanders) in beginning of 1840s. it was introduced by Commanding officer of this regiment.

2. Up to middle of 19c red-white-green diced glengarry was undress caps in Highland regiments excluding Black Watch. Cameron Highlanders, however, wore glengarries without dicing and The 93rd (Sutherland)Highlanders were unique in wearing a simple red and white chequer pattern. Pipers of all Highland regiments (again excluding Black Watch) wore - and still wear! - plain dark blue glengarry.

3. from the 1860s until end of 19c glengarry was typical undress cap in all british army.

4. In the 20c Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and Highland Light Infantry wore plain dark green glengarry with black toorie. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, Black Watch, London Scottish - all wore plain dark blue glengarry. Other Highland regiments - diced glengarry.

5. Now Royal Regiment of Scotland has red-white-blue diced glengarry with red toorie as worn by Lowland regiments the Royal Scots and King's Own Scottish Borderers.

6. The ribbons on glengarry never tied!

[48HofC]

The Black Watch wear glengarrys, have been since the First World War. They still wear their blue balmorals with certain dress, but the pipes and drums wear glengarrys when not wearing full dress as the standard headdress.

[blackwatch70]

The Black Watch wear glengarrys, have been since the First World War. They still wear their blue balmorals with certain dress, but the pipes and drums wear glengarrys when not wearing full dress as the standard headdress.

As far as I remember the british 42nd Regiment (Black Watch) started to wear glengarry about 1860s , these caps replaced plain kilmarnock bonnets as undress caps.

42nd 1871-73.jpg

BW Dartmoor 1871 .jpg

pictures above are from 1870s

[slothead]

As a military veteran, I am comfortable wearing my glengarry while kilted and when the notion occurs, while I am in slacks, jacket and tie. I have a plain black (no dicing), red tourrie with untied ribbons that I add my clan badge or a special broach as an alternative. It is as comfortable as the military "garrison" cap was when I was in service. To me, the glengarry is another cap in my arsenal. I can not comment on your other questions.

I just had to mention this: When I was in the military in the 70's, that "Garrison" cap had another less family-oriented name that I still chuckle about, but I never repeat that name.

[imrichmond]

In civilian highland dress, the issue of dicing on a glengarry (or a balmoral) is purely a matter of personal choice and has no special significance. There are absolutely no rules governing the wearing of dicing in civilian dress. In civilian pipe bands, it is not unusual for the drummers to wear diced glengarrys while the pipers wear plain ones, but there is no "rule" requiring this. In many pipe bands, both drummers and pipers wear diced glengarrys and in others they all wear plain ones. In almost 60 years of wearing and being around highland dress, both civilian and military, I have never seen tied ribbons on a glengarry, nor have I ever heard of this being done. The ribbons on a balmoral, however, may be either tied in a small bow or dangling loose. This, like dicing, has no special significance and is simply a matter of personal choice.