Jock's New Balmoral

**thescot** · 13th March 10, 01:37 PM

Dang, good job, Tobus. you made a really good choice in your bonnet purchase.

I was so inspired by Jock, that I took my green bonnet and rewet it, let it dry after i beat it up, and reshaped it. I've been wetting my bonnets for years, but I haven't always done that second soaking, and it really makes a big difference.

I gotta say--the green one looks much better now, and I'll get a photo soon to prove it.

I even worked on that surplus Black Watch blue bonnet I bought my grandson, and it looks just pretty slick. I'll be sure to post pictures of us in the St. Paddy's parade after Wednesday.

Heck, I may have to buy a new bonnet just so I can do it again!

**Sir William** · 13th March 10, 03:26 PM

Well done Jock! I've been awa' since before this tale began, but it has made for some enjoyable reading on my return.

I like it when a bonnet (hat, cap, or other headgear) has some "character" to it - and you've certainly done that.

I always thought "fawn" was a light tan colour and "duck egg green" was the colour of the underside of Spitfires and Hurricanes.

**Bruce Scott** · 13th March 10, 04:17 PM

Excellent tutorial and a splendid outcome.

I thoroughly wet my bonnets with warm water and a little soap, give 'em a quick spin dry in the washing machine to remove excess water and then work on the shape.

**longhuntr74** · 13th March 10, 04:20 PM

I've been doing the same thing to my military berets for years...though with the older ones there was also the necessity of shaving them to "de-lint" them so they developed that hard wool texture also. The newer berets seem to be a bit loose and floppy in the weave. I don't like it at all!!!

**Standard** · 13th March 10, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the "after" pictures Jock, it certainly looks like you acheived that well worn, well loved, lived in look. BTW do you have a link to Mackie?

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 13th March 10, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

Jock you have perfectly illustrated what I've advocated for a long time, i.e., adjust your bonnet before wearing it by soaking and drying and fitting! I always give mine a soaking in the sink since I don't have a bern nearby.

December's Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk did a pretty good job of the whole process.

**Brian K** · 13th March 10, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Oh but it DID happen!

It's still wet under the cockade and the brow band, but the rest is drying more quickly than I thought. That could be due to the fact that it's 80 degrees, sunny, and very dry out today. But Jock's advice is working like a champ! The whole bonnet has shrunk just a bit and is laying over like I want. It wouldn't do this before soaking it. If it will hold this shape, I'll be a happy camper.

(Please pardon the fact that one of my horses is in the picture; I couldn't bear to edit him out!)

Tobus, look like you've been wearing that hat for ages. Good job, man. And don't apologize for the horse, if anything he adds to, rather than detracts from, the picture. I bet they even have horses in Scotland!

Regards,

Brian

**Jock Scot** · 13th March 10, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Brian K

Tobus, look like you've been wearing that hat for ages. Good job, man. And don't apologize for the horse, if anything he adds to, rather than detracts from, the picture. I bet they even have horses in Scotland!

Regards,

Brian

Indeed we do have horses in Scotland, here are just two.The grey is "Archie" a pure bred Highland and "Simon", the chestnut, is what is known as a Welsh (Section C).

Great job on the bonnet,Tobus! You will find that you cannot "freeze" the wool, so it will move about, but after a bit of time, now that you have given it "the treatment", it should just go to shape when you put it on.

**Jock Scot** · 14th March 10, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by Standard

Thanks for the "after" pictures Jock, it certainly looks like you acheived that well worn, well loved, lived in look. BTW do you have a link to Mackie?

No I am afraid I don't. Might I suggest that you contact Chris(Redshanks) he will have all the information to hand.

**Jock Scot** · 20th March 10, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by Redshank

The Mackie produced Balmoral Bonnet comes in various headsizes, measurement being set buy the headband, but the actual bonnet part comes in a standard size, the options available are diced or plain headband, ribbons tie or loose.
Because I specifically went to Mackie's with a view to ensuring the best possible match to Jock's old bonnet, it was evident that the bonnet size had changed over the past 30 odd years, and they offered to make one up specially, so Jock's new bonnet is very bespoke.
But I am certain that as Mackie's hand produce every bonnet anything is possible, I can only ask.

I have had several emails and PMs asking about my new "very bespoke" bonnet and I think some of you do need to understand that my bonnet is far from standard. Mackie's matched the colour brilliantly with my old one and also made the top(is there a technical name?) of the bonnet smaller than the Mackie standard issue. Chris(Redshank) is really the man to talk too and as he says; "he can only ask."