blue bonnet?

[macwilkin]

To our eyes, more used to the modern military beret, we usually think of them as being worn pulled over the right ear (British and US) or left ear (French), but back in the mid-18th century the bonnet appeared to be worn any which way according to personal preference, if period paintings are to be trusted. However, most seemed to be worn more of less squarely on the head similar to that of my avatar. The Penicuik drawings of the Jacobite army in 1745-56 shows a rather mishaped bonnet, with the cockade placed just about anywhere - on the side, on the top side or front, and even in the rear (on top).

The Van Gucht drawings of the 43rd Highlanders (before they became the more famous 42nd) show more uniformity - as might be expected for a military unit. The bonnet is worn pretty much square on the head, with the black Hanovarian cockade worn over the left eye.

For whats it worth, I tend to wear my bonnet pulled down in various directions to shade my eyes as might be necessary - to include toward the front where it can also keep some of the rain out my eyes.

The Jacobite Army had no "uniform" or even uniformity, save the white cockade which served as a recognition device, so wear your bonnet however you like.

The Osprey books on the Jacobites include some period illustrations that might be helpful: The Scottish Jacobite Army, 1745-46 by Stuart Reid; The Jacobite Rebellions 1689-1745 by Michael Barthorp; and Highland Clansman 1689-1746 by Stuart Reid.

See my post above for a brief discussion of the units in the Jacobite forces that did have uniforms, William. All three of the books you mention discuss these regiments.

Regards,

Todd