balmoral

[haxtonhouse]

does anyone know what shade of blue the balmoral bonnets were between 1770-1830? where they dark or light blue?

[Jock Scot]

I am no expert on these matters but from memory of seeing pictures of roughly that time,then dark blue,almost black is the colour.Before anyone says it,no I was not around in those days!Thankyou.

[CEF]

Dark Blue and diced at least in the case of the Highland Regiments.
At the time of Waterloo peacock feathers were added this give the appearance that the head wear was much higher than it was, saving many mens heads when faced with the Frenh cavalry.
I will dig out some illustrations later
Regards
Chris

[Daaaaang]

Yeah I am pretty sure it was something like indigo.

[sharpdressedscot]

I think feathers may have been a sign of importance or ranking...aristocracy?

[macwilkin]

I think feathers may have been a sign of importance or ranking...aristocracy?

Feathers are worn by Chiefs & armigers (those who bear coats-of-arms). A feather bonnet is a piece of military headgear. CEF has done a nice job explaining its use.

T.

[sharpdressedscot]

OK, I was close!

Do any balmorals come in all black?

[Woodsheal]

If you're talking about the military,that was the time period of the Kilmarnock bonnet (hummel). Scroll to the bottom of this page:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/bonnets.htm

Civilian bonnets were by-and-large knitted items - what we today call a "tam o' shanter" - and dark blue was the most popular color, though natural shades of grey and brown were not unknown. Today's "balmoral" is a later development....

[haxtonhouse]

I have seen some paintings that show blue balmorals with a red headband. I havent seen anything like tha for sale though.

[Daaaaang]

OK, I was close!

Do any balmorals come in all black?

Not usually. Black with a red toorie is the most traditional, and pretty much the only black balmoral you will find. However, Chef found one at J Byous Co, scroll about 2/3 down.