Nice Balmorals

[flairball]

Graham,
That is a nice Balmoral. I, too like the color. I find myself gravitating towards green, and have been thinking about buying a Balmoral. Perhaps we'll have the same hat one day. I also thought the maroon looked good too, but if I was to buy a maroon Balmoral I'd have to add a few matching items my woredrobe so the hat would not stand alone. In the mean time I will do with the sage colored, waxed cotton flat cap I bought at Barbour on monday. I like the sage color, and it feels indestructable, which is a good thing.

Anyway, nice choice. Enjoy.

[davedove]

Although I can't think of any occasion in which I would wear one, I really like the military style tunics they have.

[Bob C]

I've asked for one of those Balmorals, in green, for xmas. I've decided it's a hat I can wear in the winter, even when I'm not kilted.

[macwilkin]

I've asked for one of those Balmorals, in green, for xmas. I've decided it's a hat I can wear in the winter, even when I'm not kilted.

Aye, Bob, I wear my bonnet with "Saxon" clothes in the fall and winter as well, and it will keep the heid warm! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[McClef]

They did not place their order. The issue was one of should the MOD accept tenders from Asia.

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=278112006

The talk was even to let Asian companies join but that got shelved so now its British kiltmakers under the squeeze but also armed with lower (cheaper) standards to meet.

I stand corrected, I must have read a lot about reactions and inferences that is was definitely going to happen but it does look as if kiltmakers are being pressured to find cheap sources for the material to make their quotes competitive.

No, it not called "Global market" but its called short-sighted quick savings. Its about balancing books, avoid taxes and getting re-elected.

The "Global Market" is still part of this, I have been a victim of it because my company couldn't compete with India on labour costs. In this case there is a major possibility that tenderers (without any reference to past traditions and proven quality etc) will have to look outside Scotland and even the UK for the cloth.

What's the value of a couple of blokes running about in archaic ceremonial garb or tattoo parades for tourists? In the future we'll see the boys trooping-the-colour in tartan polyester mini-skirts from textile discounter overstocks

Clearly tongue in cheek But many great traditions have been sacrificed on the altar of "progress" and saving money to offset against tragic and appalling wastage on other expenditure. 4000 kilts is hardly one or two but the idea that they might not be 100% Scottish woven and manufactured is indeed something that many people find hard to swallow.

That's a good deal. I don't know about their conditions but they normally fetch much much more (if they are real)-- and why I guess its their top selling item. The Black Watch shop is a fan shop associated with the Black Watch Regimental Museum--- which is directly related to the Black Watch Regiment Association. So if the Regiment Association is selling an item then I'd hardly imagine that it crossed the line to wear one!

Well if it is indeed kosher then it shows little official or semi-official concern about who may wear it.

As a test I registered an account and there is no requirement to prove a connection with the regiment so not only may it not be crossing an emotional line but indeed be considered an indication of support. I can't believe the low price but it says "as worn" which may be susceptible to more than one interpretation. There are a lot of descriptions which are cleverly worded "designed in Scotland" doesn't guarantee it's not made in Pakistan, "Hand made in Scotland" doesn't guarantee the material was woven in Scotland etc. etc.

[thescot]

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]

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

[Graham]

Graham,

I really appreciate the post and link.

Ron

Glad to hear it Ron, I look forward to the piccies.