Bonnet Bashing Jock Scott Style

[Jock Scot]

Well done sir! I am glad it has all worked out well. In the interests of helping (nothing more) I put a stitch each side of the knot, rather than through the knot itself. It matters not really, but it is easier my way, I think and I put in the stitches in before the first dunking.

Out of interest, the MacPherson's hail from near the top of the Spey valley not the bottom. I thought I would get that in before our enthusiastic MacPherson, here, takes you to task!

I fancy that your bonnet is not quite the same colour as mine. Yours is rather less green in hue and your dicing is grey and white(ish) and mine is green and white(ish).

Super pictures and I look forward to the finished result picture with you and the appropriate drink to hand.

[creagdhubh]

Well done cousin, and thanks for posting your step by step process, it was quite interesting indeed. I have not gone through the 'Jock Scot' process yet with my new diced fawn Balmoral, and technically, I would have to perform the same procedure for 4 other Mackie Balmorals that I currently own! Many of which I have owned for many years and have already begun to 'break in' and conform better to my head naturally. I don't think I am going to put my bonnets through the re-shaping process; don't get me wrong, I love the look of yours, as well as Jock's, and not to mention, my grandfather has an old lovat blue Balmoral with dicing that looks along the same lines and is very broken in. I suppose that I am quite content with the way the Mackie Balmoral's arrive. Of course, I do a wee bit of manuvering and shaping whilst putting the bonnet on my head, and I tend to think that they don't look too much like a 'flying saucer'! I'm just fine with the way they are and tend to believe that they will reach the 'broken in' look once they have had years of wear and tear. Much thanks to you and to Jock for the ideas and step-by-step analysis.

Yours in Clann Mhuirich aye,

[creagdhubh]

Well done sir! I am glad it has all worked out well. In the interests of helping (nothing more) I put a stitch each side of the knot, rather than through the knot itself. It matters not really, but it is easier my way, I think and I put in the stitches in before the first dunking.

Out of interest, the MacPherson's hail from near the top of the Spey valley not the bottom. I thought I would get that in before our enthusiastic MacPherson, here, takes you to task!

I fancy that your bonnet is not quite the same colour as mine. Yours is rather less green in hue and your dicing is grey and white(ish) and mine is green and white(ish).

Super pictures and I look forward to the finished result picture with you and the appropriate drink to hand.

Quite right Jock!

[BobsYourUncle]

Well done cousin, and thanks for posting your step by step process, it was quite interesting indeed. I have not gone through the 'Jock Scot' process yet with my new diced fawn Balmoral, and technically, I would have to perform the same procedure for 4 other Mackie Balmorals that I currently own! Many of which I have owned for many years and have already begun to 'break in' and conform better to my head naturally. I don't think I am going to put my bonnets through the re-shaping process; don't get me wrong, I love the look of yours, as well as Jock's, and not to mention, my grandfather has an old lovat blue Balmoral with dicing that looks along the same lines and is very broken in. I suppose that I am quite content with the way the Mackie Balmoral's arrive. Of course, I do a wee bit of manuvering and shaping whilst putting the bonnet on my head, and I tend to think that they don't look too much like a 'flying saucer'! I'm just fine with the way they are and tend to believe that they will reach the 'broken in' look once they have had years of wear and tear. Much thanks to you and to Jock for the ideas and step-by-step analysis.

Yours in Clann Mhuirich aye,

Creagh Dhubh--Of course, to each his own! I have no doubt that breaking them in through natural wear as you do acheives much the same result!

Hey, I just realized the source of your forum name--the clan motto "Creagh Dhubh Cloin Chattan", or "Dark rock of sons of Chattan". My Murdoch [Machcourach is how they transliterated it] ancestors wrote about clan history in a very old family bible, and in the narrative of ancient "Uncle Murdoch", who came to NYC in 1837, and promptly fled, as according to his account, the other Scots he met in NYC were "exceedingly disagreeable". He apparently lived to a ripe old age, and was prevailed upon to write his life's story, in which he details the family connnection to Cluny MacPherson...

[bchunter]

good post and good pictures. Now, just jonesing for mine to arrive so I can go a jockin'

[Redshank]

good post and good pictures. Now, just jonesing for mine to arrive so I can go a jockin'

Sent 1st class airmail this morning, It's on it's way, and it looks great

[fluter]

Although I thought the bloated cactus would have been a unique personal touch!

Then you may enjoy this work in progress. When I've finished knitting the crown, it will be felted within an inch of its life, hopefully acquiring an appropriate size and shape for my cranium. At the moment, it's beyond bloated.

[BobsYourUncle]

Then you may enjoy this work in progress. When I've finished knitting the crown, it will be felted within an inch of its life, hopefully acquiring an appropriate size and shape for my cranium. At the moment, it's beyond bloated.

Awesome! Can't wait to see your progress...

[BobsYourUncle]

Well done sir! I am glad it has all worked out well. In the interests of helping (nothing more) I put a stitch each side of the knot, rather than through the knot itself. It matters not really, but it is easier my way, I think and I put in the stitches in before the first dunking.

Out of interest, the MacPherson's hail from near the top of the Spey valley not the bottom. I thought I would get that in before our enthusiastic MacPherson, here, takes you to task!

I fancy that your bonnet is not quite the same colour as mine. Yours is rather less green in hue and your dicing is grey and white(ish) and mine is green and white(ish).

Super pictures and I look forward to the finished result picture with you and the appropriate drink to hand.

Jock, you have your wish...here goes!

[BobsYourUncle]

Fourth and final stage: installation of the cap badge. First, gather your tools about you: a rotary leather hole punch, a marker, and the subject cap badge. I will explain all as we go.



All of the commercially made cockades I have encountered are configured so that there is a flat piece of grosgrain sewn directly to the crown of the bonnet, with a top portion comprised of a "rosette" piece of the cockade formed into a bow like item which is loosely, but firmly sewn to the back piece in the middle of the bow as well as the ends. I prefer to embed my cap badge in the cockade, so that the two clasp ends pass through the top, bow like piece of the cockade, the pin portion then runs through the back, flat piece of cockade, then into the open end of the far clasp piece, which is then closed around the pin. Embedding the cap badge in this fashion draws the cap badge flush with the cockade, helps it to lie flat, and cuts down on any random bobbing up and down as one strides out forthrightly.

First, hold your cap badge up to the cockade to determine placement. Then carefully mark the points at which the two clasp ends will enter the cockade.



Using the rotary leather hole punch, pierce the top layer of the cockade, making a hole significantly smaller than the size of the clasp ends.



Feed the clasp end on which the pin rotates into the middle of the cockade through the left hand hole.



Pierce the bottom piece of grosgrain on your way to the other side.



Run some matching thread through the top piece of grosgrain, and around some feature of your cap badge at the top. The MacPherson cap badge has a handy cat tail at just the right point, but you will figure out what works with whatever badge you are using. Tossing a stitch or two around the top of your cap badge will provide security in case the clasp decides to betray you at the next Highland games, and will draw the top of the cap badge toward the crown of your bonnet, creating a pleasing look, and eliminating any possiblity of bounce...



Final result, up close:



Having smartly and successfully completed a work of no small cultural significance, celebration should include the imbibing of a single malt beverage of amber hue. All raise a glass to Jock Scott! Slainte!