Balmoral bonnets

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Could some one explain the difference between a Balmoral and a Tam O'Shanter?

I was about to post a response to this and decided to see what Google produced. After all, copy and past is always easier, if nothing else.

Here's someone's descriptions and though I have some problems with some of what is said here, it's a fair survey of Scottish bonnets. http://www.scottish-wedding-dreams.c...h-bonnets.html

I tend to think of the TOS as being the big, floppy knit variety, however, the military version is also referred to as a TOS. In my mind's eye, the military version is sort of a Balmoral hybrid but not all might agree.

[Tobus]

That was a fairly decent summary of headwear, although I had to chuckle at this one:

"Remember, the Highlanders flocked to the British army after the Battle of Culloden in 1747."

[thescot]

BTW, it really is worth getting a quality bonnet. I'm not sure what the bottom $ cutoff is, but I got a cheap one somewhere along the way and it was a piece of cr*p. I gave it to somebody who was thrilled with it, but I'm a hat guy and that one wasn't more than a hot pad to me. It was labelled "Made in Scotland" but have to believe it was only technically that, if at all.

I, too, am a hat guy, and I usually buy only very good hats. (OK, I have a ball cap and a wool felt Indiana Jones for knocking around, work, and wearing in the rain, but that's a single purpose example). I'm actually a bit snobbish when it comes to hats.ith:

So, this is good advice from HSP: always buy a good quality hat. Like shoes, sporrrans, or kilts, you'll wear it a very long time. A bonnet especially only gets better with age.

And this Keltoi guy is really starting to get a good reputation in my book. Quality stuff, nice guy--I'd recommend him for your purchase and not just because he advertises here. Good stuff is good stuff.

[slohairt]

I, too, am a hat guy, and I usually buy only very good hats. (OK, I have a ball cap and a wool felt Indiana Jones for knocking around, work, and wearing in the rain, but that's a single purpose example). I'm actually a bit snobbish when it comes to hats.ith:

So, this is good advice from HSP: always buy a good quality hat. Like shoes, sporrrans, or kilts, you'll wear it a very long time. A bonnet especially only gets better with age.

And this Keltoi guy is really starting to get a good reputation in my book. Quality stuff, nice guy--I'd recommend him for your purchase and not just because he advertises here. Good stuff is good stuff.

Awww, thanks!

Robert Mackie makes a good product and they're a good company to deal with. They've been at it since 1845 so that says something right there.

[slohairt]

Could some one explain the difference between a Balmoral and a Tam O'Shanter?

The military TOS (like I sell) is smaller than the Balmoral and doesn't feature a cockade or ribbons. (There is a small bow, however.) They're also a lot smaller than the WW1 or WW2 style Canadian and British TOS that you would find at What Price Glory or other military reenactment shops.

[Bassbarijpm]

I just came across this in the The-Royal-Regiments-of-Scotland-Dress-Regulations. I'm not quite sure how I got to that document but here is the link.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/22636965/T...ss-Regulations

This Ministry of Defence publication says -

"The Term Tam O' Shanter was introduces by the War Office for the older term Balmoral and the two are synomymous."

This happened about 1915.

To my understanding a Tam was always a less formal item then a Balmoral.