balmoral

[Nanook]

Tied: Civilian
Loose: Military

The Balmorals that were issued and worn in the army don't have ribbons to hang. The Glengarry bonnets have ribbons but they are not to be tied. The standard Black Watch Balmoral pattern as issued has neither a rosette at the front nor ribbons at the rear but a kind of micro-rosette at the rear. Most of the Balmorals I've seen that have ribbons have tended to be cheap grade bonnets (more often than not, made offshore). Military Balmorals tend not to have a rosette but a backing tartan and a badge (the Black watch have neither) and so would look strange with a large rosette bow at the rear (which is what tied ribbons are really about). This might be why most regiments wear the Glengarry style of hat :-)

[pdcorlis]

Funny... my Balmoral was (a) made in Scotland (b) NOT cheap and (c) has tails... Go figure...

[Nanook]

Funny... my Balmoral was (a) made in Scotland (b) NOT cheap and (c) has tails... Go figure...

Then yours does not number among the mass of those sold. Unfortunately most really are cheaply made (often even use cardboard stiffeners instead of canvas) to be able to sell at "competitive" price points. Like much of Highland fashion, Balmorals for 70+ GBP ($140 USD), sporrans for 120 GBP ($250 USD) or more are harder to sell than 20 GBP bonnets and 30 GBP sporrans (made offshore to lower standards). Please note: What is often described as a "Scottish Balmoral Hat" does not means either of a) Made in Scotland b) Made to Scottish standards or designs c) Made of the high quality materials d) A good bonnet. Scottish Balmoral only describes an abstract style. I'm looking right now at a well known site and that's their language. Their price of £ 24.99 is, however, a good give-away as to quality and workmanship.

[pdcorlis]

Well said Nanook!

[mcvarmit]

so if my balmoral has tails, its a cheap knock off? now i'm really confused!

slick

[macwilkin]

Even among the regiments that wore balmorals, there were always variations. A colour print of a corporal in the 6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry from the First World War shows the bonnet being worn with the ribbons down. The KOSBs also wore their bonnets in a similar fashion.

Regards,

Todd

[pdcorlis]

so if my balmoral has tails, its a cheap knock off? now i'm really confused!

slick

Nope - but it is true that if you want a Scottish made quality Balmoral (with or without tails) its going to cost you a pretty penny. Now I've never owned a Balmoral from glengarryhats.com but I do have a Glengarry from them its easily worth the asking price.

[MacWage]

Now that I am being quoted and referenced in what I said earlier . . .

I was stating many (nor all) of the stories I've heard.
I DO NOT believe ANY of them.

The military/civi one has DEFINATE problems, yet one I've heard a number of times. Most of this is by American "arm chair generals."

The last one (what's under the kilt) has a story behind it. I was wearing the green and yellow one, with black grosgrain trim (one of my "prototypes"). I was stopped by a man who said "it is too cold for you to be regimental anyways." I was taken aback and asked what is that supposed to mean and how would he know anyways (I actually WAS regmental that day). He then proceeded to tell me that tied referred to something under the kilt and loose was loose .

As for loose or tied. The "safest" is tied as it is the most traditional, easiest to "defend" and least "objectionable," as it is what Charles Thompson argues is the "right" way to do it. Many, many, many of "old-timers" among Scottish fanatics, however, LOVE to wear theirs loose.

[Monkey@Arms]

MacWage,

I think it was understood by all that you were only passing on these stories, not that you subscribe to them. Might have to get me some kind of Scottish chapeau some day.

Best regards,

Jake

[Warhoover]

If anyone has contacts in the War Museum or any of the Regimental Museums, pose the question to them. I am sure there is documentation of recorded Regimental traditions that may shed some light on it. I am sure if an old Highland Regiment Sergeant Major could be found he could shed some light on it as well.