Toorie Question

**thescot** · 11th March 10, 01:54 PM

I'm pretty sure that the red was originally added for aesthic purposes only. It became traditional, at least in the regiments, just because that's what "we've always done."

I have found that many bonnets have a same-colored toorie rather than the red. I purposely bought my first bonnet with the black toorie rather than the red one; picked it out of the lot intertionally.

You can also make one very easily by following instructions printed in So You're Going to Wear the Kilt. All you really need is some yarn in the right color.

**The Thing** · 11th March 10, 03:14 PM

I can't answer why the Toorie came about........! But I can say that a few years ago I read a piece regarding the Irish Naval Services Uniform regarding their Toorie's on the Service Dress uniforms, it was stated that this was to honour the Aran Island's (off Ireland Aran Island's) Bannin hat or Aran Tam which also had a Tourie. I know this doesn't answer the original answer but some here may find it interesting nonetheless...!

**Radge** · 11th March 10, 03:20 PM

[QUOTE=thescot;862412]I'm pretty sure that the red was originally added for aesthic purposes only. It became traditional, at least in the regiments, just because that's what "we've always done."

Probably bang on. The London Scottish have a blue toorie on the Glengarry as the facings on the dress uniform are blue.

**BoldHighlander** · 12th March 10, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

You can also make one very easily by following instructions printed in So You're Going to Wear the Kilt. All you really need is some yarn in the right color.

Personally I never really cared too much for them,
so I just lop them off {{gasp!! }}

**Redshank** · 12th March 10, 01:40 AM

When Neil put the question to me I contacted Mackie's, and got the same reply, they knew of no historical reason why the tourie is red other than that's the way they have always made them.

**thescot** · 12th March 10, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

Personally I never really cared too much for them,
so I just lop them off {{gasp!! }}

Ahhhhhhhh! Say it ain't so.

Why not wear a beret? No kidding, I'm not being a wise guy. I like the looks of a beret, and there's no toorie.

**BoldHighlander** · 13th March 10, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

Ahhhhhhhh! Say it ain't so.

Why not wear a beret? No kidding, I'm not being a wise guy. I like the looks of a beret, and there's no toorie.

A beret just doesn't have the same cut/fullness/size to it, nor sits right in my own personal hat/bonnet wearing experience

**Scotus** · 14th March 10, 01:42 PM

I'm not sure anyone knows why it's red. As others have said, it's probably just for looks; red is bright and makes something small like a torrie stand out on a cap. Red draws the eye, so I like the red torrie because it picks up red from my kilt and brings the eye up.

A person can make their own torrie, but I've never had desire, since I like the red. I think Thompson has instructions in his book, doesn't he?

**Jack Daw** · 14th March 10, 02:18 PM

HAH! I say shear them all off, the touries, and add them to the fuel that burns the Samhain flames so bright!

**Bugbear** · 14th March 10, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

HAH! I say shear them all off, the touries, and add them to the fuel that burns the Samhain flames so bright!

I just happen to think a medium blue bonnet with a scarlet red, or even dark red toorie would be exactly perfect. Navey blue is a little too dark, but sky blue might do.

It's the black band and ribbons that might bother me; I might prefer red and white dicing, but it's not too dig of an issue.

And not that I know what I'm talking about either!