Hubbry Logo
GlengarryGlengarryMain
Open search
Glengarry
Community hub
Glengarry
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Glengarry
Glengarry
from Wikipedia

Glengarry bonnet

The Glengarry bonnet is a traditional Scots cap made of thick-milled woollen material, decorated with a toorie on top, frequently a rosette cockade on the left side, and ribbons hanging behind. It is normally worn as part of Scottish military or civilian Highland dress, either formal or informal, as an alternative to the Balmoral bonnet or Tam o' Shanter.

History

[edit]
Alexander Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry in 1812.

Traditionally, the Glengarry bonnet is said to have first appeared as the head dress of the Glengarry Fencibles when they were formed in 1794 by Alexander Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry, of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. MacDonell, therefore, is sometimes said to have invented the Glengarry – but it is not clear whether early pictures of civilians or Fencible infantry show a true glengarry, capable of being folded flat, or the standard military bonnet of the period merely cocked into a more "fore-and-aft" shape.[1] The first use of the classic, military glengarry may not have been until 1841, when it is said to have been introduced for the pipers of the 79th Foot by the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lauderdale Maule.[2]

It was only in the 1850s that the Glengarry became characteristic undress headgear of the Scottish regiments of the British Army. By 1860, the Glengarry without a diced border and usually with a feather had been adopted by pipers in all regiments except the 42nd (Black Watch), whose pipers wore the full dress feather bonnet. In 1914, all Scottish infantry regiments were wearing dark blue Glengarries in non-ceremonial orders of dress, except for the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who wore them in rifle green, and the Scots Guards, who wore peaked forage caps or khaki service dress caps.

The diced bands on Glengarries were either in red, white and blue for royal regiments or red, white and green for others. The toories on top could be red, royal blue or black, according to regiment. The Black Watch and Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, however, wore Glengarries without dicing and The 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders were unique in wearing a simple red and white chequer pattern. This was said to commemorate the stand of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders at the Battle of Balaclava immortalized as the Thin Red Line.[citation needed]

Between 1868 and 1897, the Glengarry was also worn as an undress cap for most British soldiers until replaced by the short-lived Austrian cap, replaced in turn in 1902 by the Brodrick cap (to which a peak was added to produce the design of cap worn in regimental colours with undress and in khaki with Service Dress at the start of the First World War). When the Austrian-style side cap was revived in 1937 as the Universal Pattern Field Service Cap (used by the British Army in the Second World War), the Dress Regulations for the Army, described it as "similar in shape to the Glengarry".

Modern wear

[edit]
Glengarry worn on parade (Royal Regiment of Scotland, 2011).

The Glengarry continued to be worn in dark blue by all regiments of the Scottish Division up to their final amalgamation into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006. In parade dress, it was worn by all regiments except the Black Watch, who wore the blue Balmoral bonnet, and musicians of some regiments, who wore feather bonnets in full dress. The Black Watch, however, wore a plain blue Glengarry in some orders of dress with trews. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) wore a plain rifle green Glengarry up until their disbandment in 1968. The blue Glengarry currently worn by the Royal Regiment of Scotland has red, green and white dicing, a red toorie, black silk cockade and the regimental cap badge surmounted by a blackcock (Tetrao tetrix) feather. This last is a tradition taken from the Royal Scots and King's Own Scottish Borderers. Other Commonwealth military forces that have Scottish and Highland regiments also make use of the Glengarry.[3]

Irish Army

[edit]

The headdress worn by Irish Army's Cavalry Corps is called a Glengarry but is more similar to the caubeen[4] in appearance,[5] than to the Scottish headdress of the same name. It was designed in 1934 for the Cavalry Corps as a more practical headdress than the standard peaked cap in the confines of their armoured cars and tanks. The Glengarry is the same colour as the army's service dress uniform with a black band and two black swallow-tail ribbons at the rear. The cap badge is worn over the left eye. Officers in the RDF wear a similar Glengarry but with green band and ribbons as part of their service dress uniform. Army pipers and drummers wear a black Glengarry with a saffron band and ribbons and a dark green feather hackle.

Civilian wear

[edit]

The Glengarry is worn by male members of staff at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King's Official residence in Scotland.

The Glengarry is also commonly worn by civilians, notably civilian pipe bands, but can be considered an appropriate hat worn by any man with Highland casual dress or day wear. In this context, it most often has a red toorie. In pipe bands, women often also wear the Glengarry.

The Glengarry is the headdress stipulated in Dress Regulations for Officers of the Boys' Brigade; namely Warrant Officers, Lieutenants and Brevet Captains.

Police use of diced band

[edit]

In 1932 Percy Sillitoe, the Chief Constable of the City of Glasgow Police, abolished the traditional custodian helmet and added a new feature to the peaked caps worn by his police officers. This new feature was a black and white chequered cap band based on the dicings seen on the Glengarry headdress of the Scottish regiments. The diced band, popularly known as the Sillitoe tartan, later spread to police forces in Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the United Kingdom, as well as to some other parts of the world, notably Chicago.

Method of wearing

[edit]

The correct method of wearing the Glengarry has changed since the end of the Second World War. Prior to 1945, Glengarries were generally worn steeply angled, with the right side of the cap worn low, often touching the ear, and the side with the capbadge higher on the head. The trend since the end of the war has been to wear the Glengarry level on the head, with the point directly over the right eye.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Glengarry bonnet is a traditional Scottish cap constructed from thick-milled woollen material with a distinctive boat-shaped or canoe-like crown, topped by a toorie (a small ) and often adorned with a rosette on the left side, from which ribbons typically trail down the back. It derives its name from Glengarry, a glen in the within , historically associated with the , whose territory encompassed the valley of the River Garry between Loch Garry and Loch Oich. Originating in the late 18th century, the Glengarry bonnet first appeared as the headdress of the Glengarry , a Highland regiment raised in 1794 by Alasdair Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry to defend against French invasion threats during the . It may have evolved from earlier modifications to the , where the crown was creased and shaped for a more structured form. By the mid-19th century, the cap was formally prescribed in 1852 for wear by Highland and Scottish regiments in the , serving as the equivalent of the for other units. In 1874, a plain version without diced borders was adopted Army-wide for other ranks, though Scottish regiments retained the diced (multi-colored bordered) style as a marker of regimental identity even after the 1894 introduction of the field service cap. Today, the Glengarry remains a key element of Scottish , worn in both military and civilian contexts. In military use, it continues in ceremonial uniforms for Scottish regiments, such as the Royal Regiment of , often featuring crests, feathers, or regimental badges. Civilians wear it as formal or informal headwear with kilts, particularly at , weddings, and events, available in plain black, diced patterns (typically red, white, and black), or variations to match family or regimental affiliations. The cap's enduring popularity reflects its role in preserving Scottish , with modern production still centered in using traditional wool milling techniques.

History

Origins in the Scottish Highlands

The Glengarry bonnet takes its name from the Glengarry region in the , a remote valley in associated with . Its design evolved from traditional Highland bonnets, particularly the flat blue bonnets that had been a staple of Scottish Highland attire since at least the . These knitted bonnets, often dyed with natural for a deep blue hue, symbolized Highland identity and were prominently worn during the 1745 Jacobite Rising, where they featured white cockades as emblems of support for . Following the rising's defeat at Culloden in 1746, the British government's Disarming Act banned —including and bonnets—for civilians to suppress Jacobite sympathies and clan structures, driving underground persistence and gradual evolution of these garments. By the late , as restrictions eased and Highland traditions revived amid growing British interest in Scottish culture, the blue bonnet began transforming into more structured forms; the Glengarry adopted a distinctive boat-shaped profile by creasing and folding the flat bonnet, enhancing its durability and allowing it to be collapsed for storage during travel over the Highlands' challenging terrain. This evolved headwear found its first documented military association with the Glengarry Fencibles, a Highland militia raised in 1794 by Alasdair Ranaldson MacDonell, the 15th chief of , in response to fears of French invasion during the early . MacDonell, who styled himself as a traditional Highland chief, incorporated the bonnet into the regiment's uniform to embody clan loyalty and regional pride, marking a key step in its transition from civilian practicality to formalized military use. The Fencibles, drawn largely from MacDonell's estates and Catholic Highlanders, served until disbandment in 1802, helping to preserve and popularize the Glengarry amid the broader revival of Highland customs.

19th-century military standardization

The Glengarry cap underwent significant evolution within the during the early , paving the way for its formal designation as standard undress headwear for Highland regiments following a Horse Guards circular in July 1851, which sanctioned its use and replaced the cumbersome feathered bonnets with the more functional Glengarry to enhance uniformity and ease of wear. By mid-century, regulatory frameworks solidified the Glengarry's role, with the 1856 warrant providing detailed specifications including construction from dark blue wool, incorporation of diced borders in regimental colors (typically red, white, and black), and placement of a toorie—a small —at the crown for distinction. These standards ensured the cap's distinctive boat-like shape, rear ribbons for securing, and overall durability, reflecting a shift toward standardized attire that balanced tradition with practicality across Scottish units. The cap's adoption expanded progressively, achieving full integration as undress headgear for all British by 1868, thereby extending its use beyond Highland formations to the wider army. The (1853–1856) and subsequent colonial campaigns further influenced practical modifications to the Glengarry, as its lightweight design proved advantageous over the feathered bonnet in harsh field conditions, prompting adjustments such as simplified dicing and reinforced wool for combat resilience during engagements in the and later imperial operations. However, by the late , evolving needs led to its phased replacement as the primary undress cap; a 1897 regulation introduced the field service cap in its stead for non-Scottish regiments, though Highland units retained the Glengarry for ceremonial and undress purposes.

Design and Components

Core elements of the Glengarry

The Glengarry bonnet features a distinctive boat-shaped crown constructed from thick-milled , typically in , which forms the hat's foundational structure and ensures durability through its dense weaving process. This crown, measuring 10-12 inches in length, incorporates a stiffened base—often achieved via internal lining in traditional constructions—to retain its characteristic elongated, canoe-like profile without a brim or peak. At the apex of the crown sits the central toorie, a small traditionally made from red wool, serving as both a decorative element and a symbolic marker of or regimental identity through its color choice. Extending from the rear of the crown are the ribbons, or "tails," measuring approximately 11 inches in length, which function to secure the hat during wear while adding a decorative flourish; these are frequently crafted in regimental patterns to reflect affiliated units or traditions. On the left side of the crown, a front badge is positioned, typically a metal or embroidered that denotes , , or affiliations, often secured over a rosette for added formality. Some versions may include an optional diced band around the base, though this is explored further in discussions of stylistic variations.

Variations in style and materials

The diced band, a distinctive multi-striped edging around the base of the Glengarry cap, emerged in the mid-19th century as a modification by Scottish regiments to enhance regimental distinction, often featuring patterns like red and white or red, white, and black stripes. This embellishment, inspired by traditional checkered designs, became a hallmark of Highland military headwear, with variations such as the red-white-blue scheme appearing in certain British regimental contexts for added visual differentiation. Traditional Glengarries were crafted from thick-milled material to provide and a structured , but modern replicas frequently incorporate felted or synthetic blends for improved resistance and ease of production. Color schemes have also evolved, with dark prevalent in civilian versions to align with informal Highland attire, contrasting the darker or tartan-infused tones of originals. Feather or plume attachments serve as optional ceremonial embellishments, including rosette cockades on the left side or colored like red feathers, which were integrated into designs by the early 19th century to denote rank or occasion. These elements, such as eagle feathers in some traditional contexts, add height and flair without altering the core boat-shaped profile. Size and fit adaptations distinguish undress from full-dress variants, with smaller "" Glengarries—typically more compact in crown height—employed for everyday or service wear to facilitate practicality, while taller full-dress crowns maintain a more imposing for formal parades. These modifications allow the to fold flat for storage, preserving its versatility across contexts.

Military Use

Historical adoption by regiments

The Glengarry cap saw its initial military adoption among Scottish Highland regiments in the mid-19th century, evolving from earlier traditional headgear like the feathered bonnet. It was formally prescribed in 1852 as undress headwear for Highland and Scottish regiments, marking the first widespread use by units such as the 79th (Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders), where it was introduced around 1840 by Lt Col. Lauderdale Maule to the regiment, with evidence from statuettes of the regiment made in Gibraltar in 1842, as shown in a 1853 lithograph. The 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment, known as the Black Watch, was slower to adopt it, with pipers retaining the feather bonnet as late as 1860 due to their unique uniform traditions. By the 1870s, the Glengarry had extended beyond Scottish units to non-Highland British regiments and colonial forces, including those in the Indian Army, where it served as a practical undress cap in various campaigns. In 1874, a plain version without the diced border was authorized for all infantry regiments, reflecting its versatility in imperial service. During the Boer War (1899-1902), Glengarry caps were worn by Scottish and other units, such as the King's Own Scottish Borderers and volunteer battalions, providing identification and protection in field conditions. Regimental distinctions enhanced the Glengarry's role in unit identity, with variations in badges, diced borders, and tail ribbons. For instance, the featured black silk ribbons hanging from the rear, paired with a red toorie and regimental stag badge, distinguishing them in parades and operations. Following (1914-1918), the Glengarry began to phase out in favor of berets and side caps for everyday wear, though it persisted in some dress uniforms into the , particularly among Scottish regiments preserving ceremonial traditions.

Modern applications in armed forces

In the British Army, the Glengarry has been retained as a key element of ceremonial dress following the 2006 amalgamation that formed the Royal Regiment of Scotland from six historic Scottish infantry regiments. It is worn in No. 1A dress during state ceremonies, guards of honour, and formal parades, featuring a dark blue wool body with green, white, and red diced border inherited from predecessor units like the Royal Scots and King's Own Scottish Borderers. As of 2025, the Glengarry continues to be worn in ceremonial uniforms by Scottish regiments, including during events like the Trooping the Colour. Within forces, the Glengarry persists in ceremonial roles among Scottish regiments, particularly for pipe and drum units. In the Canadian Army, it is worn as the traditional headdress for Pipes and Drums in Highland regiments, including the , to maintain regimental identity in parades and formal duties since post-1945, with recent support from the Undress Headdress Project (as of 2019). The Irish Defence Forces adopted a variant of the Glengarry for certain units, including the Cavalry Corps since 1934 and the Army , often featuring elements aligned with national colors such as green, for ceremonial use in state events and military parades into the 2020s, where band members wear it with saffron kilts and green tunics to symbolize Irish military heritage.

Civilian and Ceremonial Use

Formal Scottish attire

The Glengarry bonnet has been integrated into formal civilian since the late 19th century, particularly when paired with the Prince Charlie jacket or a full Highland outfit, typically crafted in black wool and adorned with a clan crest badge for personal or familial identification. This combination emerged during the Victorian era's romantic revival of Scottish traditions, where the Glengarry served as a practical yet symbolic headpiece complementing the tailored formality of the short Prince Charlie jacket, often worn at weddings and balls to evoke Highland heritage. The black wool variant, with its toorie pom-pom and optional rosette , provides a sleek, understated elegance suitable for evening events. Following a surge in popularity after 1900 among the in , the Glengarry became a staple at cultural gatherings such as ceilidhs and , where emigrants preserved and celebrated their roots through traditional attire. This period saw increased and community events, with the bonnet symbolizing continuity amid displacement, often featured in family portraits and festive assemblies across and the . In modern civilian standards, Glengarry bonnets are commercially available in for durability and authenticity or acrylic blends for affordability and ease of care, a development traceable to the 1950s when synthetic materials entered the market for everyday formal use. An optional feather, reminiscent of historical military variants, may be added for added authenticity at ceremonial occasions, though it remains rare in strict civilian formal contexts. The Glengarry embodies Highland heritage through its distinctive boat-shaped profile and trailing ribbons, setting it apart from the rounder, less angular in both shape and perceived formality.

Pipe bands and cultural events

The Glengarry serves as the traditional and standard headwear for pipers in competitive pipe bands, a practice that solidified with the emergence of the first civilian bands in the 1880s, building on the piping competitions promoted by the since its founding in 1778. Diced bands, featuring a checkered pattern of contrasting colors around the edge, are commonly incorporated into Glengarries worn by pipe bands to provide visual distinction and enhance on-field presence during massed performances. In major cultural events, the Glengarry is prominently featured as part of the uniform for participating s, such as those at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which has been held annually since 1950 and showcases massed pipes and drums in a spectacle of Scottish heritage. Similarly, at North American like the Glengarry in Maxville, —established in 1948 and known for hosting one of the continent's largest pipe band competitions—performers don Glengarries often adorned with ribbons that coordinate with their band's kilts and sashes for a unified appearance. Civilian pipe bands have adapted the Glengarry for greater practicality in non-military settings, favoring lighter-weight wool constructions—such as 8-ounce spring-weight fabrics—for improved breathability and comfort during extended parades and outdoor events. This approach is exemplified by organizations like the Police Pipe Band, a grade 2 competitive ensemble formed in the early that performs in civilian contexts and regularly competes at while wearing adapted Glengarries as part of their formal attire. The Glengarry's role in pipe bands evolved from early 20th-century reliance on items, influenced by the mutual exchange between army and civilian traditions, to , custom-made versions tailored for precision and durability in international competitions by the 2000s.

Specialized Adaptations

Law enforcement versions

The Glengarry has been adapted for use in law enforcement pipe bands, particularly featuring a diced band to denote ceremonial roles distinct from standard patrol . In the , the diced band design, inspired by Scottish regimental patterns on the Glengarry, was introduced to police uniforms in the early 20th century. of Police adopted the black-and-white diced band, known as the "Sillitoe tartan," on peaked caps in to replace the traditional , for visibility and heritage symbolism. This pattern spread to other forces and is used on Glengarries in ceremonial pipe bands. Modern examples include the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), where the Pipes and Drums of the Musical Ride wear a dark blue Glengarry with a red toorie and the RCMP over a left-side rosette for formal performances. The hat, paired with scarlet tunics and RCMP kilts, underscores ceremonial equestrian displays rooted in British cavalry heritage. In the United States, pipe bands began incorporating the Glengarry in the 1970s for ceremonial parades; for instance, the Chicago Police Department's Emerald Society Bagpipes and Drums transitioned to a black Glengarry with black-and-white diced band in the late 1960s, inspired by the Sillitoe introduced to officer caps in 1967. These adaptations serve to distinguish law enforcement ceremonial units from military counterparts, highlighting cultural heritage and public order roles through Scottish-influenced attire that fosters tradition and morale in parades and honors.

Other institutional uses

In educational settings, the Glengarry forms part of ceremonial uniforms in several Scottish independent schools, promoting a sense of tradition and discipline. At School in , established in 1908 for children of families, the hat has been worn since at least the mid-20th century—though likely earlier in line with its 1930s-era formalization—for special occasions like church services and parades, typically in plain black wool to complement scarlet tunics and . In recent decades, post-2000, the Glengarry has seen increased adoption in corporate bagpipe teams and societies seeking authenticity and team spirit. Corporate-sponsored groups, like those affiliated with distilleries or events companies, equip performers with replicas featuring traditional construction and clan-appropriate for promotional parades and festivals, symbolizing Scottish pride in a modern commercial context. Similarly, reenactment societies such as Macdonell's Company of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles, active since the 1990s with heightened events after 2000, employ period-accurate Glengarries—often black with red-white —for portrayals, using them to recreate the uniform of Highland fencible regiments and educate on colonial history. These uses highlight the hat's versatility beyond traditional spheres, bridging contemporary institutional needs with cultural preservation.

Wearing Instructions

Positioning and accessories

The Glengarry cap is positioned on the head with a slight tilt to the right, such that the pointed front is angled downward and the toorie is centered over the , while the left side rests above the left ear for a balanced appearance. This placement ensures the cap sits level overall, with the base band aligning just above the eyebrows and ears, secured by an internal sweatband to maintain stability during movement or activity. The regimental badge is attached to the left side of the cap, positioned approximately 2.5 cm from the front edge and 3.6 cm above the base band, where it rests prominently above the left ear. For full dress uniforms in Scottish regiments, such as those of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, a cockfeather or is added behind the badge on the left side, typically measuring 5 to 6 inches in length to provide a decorative flourish without obstructing vision. Trailing ribbons at the rear help with airflow and traditional styling, while the diced border along the band adds visual distinction. Sizing for the Glengarry is determined by measuring the head circumference just above the ears and eyebrows, with typical adult sizes ranging from 21 to 24 inches (53 to 61 cm) to accommodate most wearers comfortably. The cap's wool construction requires gentle maintenance: wipe the exterior with a damp cloth using no abrasives to remove dirt, and store it flat in a cool, dry place to preserve its shape and prevent matting of the fabric. Cockfeathers should be removed during inclement weather to extend their lifespan.

Etiquette and traditions

When wearing the Glengarry as part of , it is customary to remove the cap indoors unless one is under arms or in a ceremonial context, reflecting broader traditions of respect in formal Scottish gatherings. Similarly, the Glengarry should be doffed during the playing of national anthems, aligning with established protocols for headwear in military and civilian settings to honor the occasion. For authenticity in formal environments, such as events or performances, the Glengarry is best paired with a , , and hose in matching , ensuring a cohesive representation of Scottish heritage. Certain practices are discouraged to maintain the Glengarry's dignified status. It should not be worn with casual modern attire, like jeans or t-shirts, as this formal headdress is intended for structured Highland ensembles rather than everyday . Altering the traditional colors or of the Glengarry without affiliation to a specific or is avoided, preserving the historical and regimental integrity of the garment. Key traditions include the military-style salute, performed by raising the right hand sharply to the right side of the Glengarry, with fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing forward. The direction of the toorie and overall tilt can serve as an identifier: civilians often position the cap more centered or with a slight leftward tilt, while some regiments favor a rightward angle with ribbons falling to the right side of the neck.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.