Nice Balmorals

**thescot** · 14th December 06, 08:37 AM

Ah, yes, there was that bonnet thing we started out with.

I will practice the custom and rules of my lodge by avoiding any religious or political talk about this subject. It works really well in lodge.

I like your bonnet. I have one almost exactly like it from Scotland (paid a king's ransom), and I alternate between it, a black one (also from Scotland and quite salty after years of wear), and a military issue tam-o-shanter like the regiments use for daily wear. (I know it's a military issue, but it's a cool looking bonnet, and I put my USMC cap badge with strap on it, so I can feel like a real Marine again. We old guys are like that on occassion.) As a Marine, I am not offended when non-Marines wear the eagle, globe, and anchor, just so they don't claim to be Marines. And BTW, I was discharged well over 25 years ago.

I wear a bonnet most days during the fall and winter and into the spring no matter what clothes I have on. People are either pleased with the bonnets or too polite to laugh. And, I often have some interesting conversations strike up over my bonnet. So, all in all, it's a good decision even though my wife dislikes it.

Your bonnet was so nice and the site so cool that I ordered one in khaki. I have a khaki glengarry that really looks good, so I thought a proper bonnet would go well with casual clotes like jeans and khaki shirts.

And one other thing you might find interesting: I usually sew a white cockade onto my bonnets. Just a little jacobite/Scottish thing I do as a personal expression of style and devotion to Scotland. I make 'em from grosgrain ribbon and pass them along to friends.

Enjoy your bonnet. We all do what we think is important, and we all vote with our feet. And the good thing is that our similarities are so many and so strong, while our differences don't account for too much.

**Riverkilt** · 14th December 06, 08:59 AM

Graham,

I really appreciate the post and link. Just ordered a sky blue balmoral yesterday. To go with my new Royal Air Force tartan kilt.

PiobBear gave me a great suggestion on another thread and I was able to catch Kathy Lare before she shipped the kilt and she gladly included some scrap RAF tartan cloth to put on the badge holder thingie (cockade?).

I know it ain't the way its done in the RAF, but I think I'll like the look, especially when combined with my replica RAF battle jacket that I have with replica insignia of what my father wore.

When it all arrives will put it together and risk pics.

Ron