Balmoral bonnet
The Balmoral bonnet (in Scottish English or Balmoral cap otherwise, and formerly called the Kilmarnock bonnet) is a traditional Scottish hat that can be worn as part of formal or informal Highland dress. Developed from the earlier blue bonnet, dating to at least the 16th century, it takes the form of a knitted, soft wool cap with a flat crown. It is named after Balmoral Castle, a royal residence in Scotland. It is an alternative to the similar and related (informal) Tam o' Shanter cap and the (formal or informal) Glengarry bonnet.
Design[edit]
Originally with a voluminous crown, today, the bonnet is smaller, made of finer cloth, and tends to be dark blue, black, or Lovat green. Ribbons in or attached to the back of the band (originally used to secure the bonnet tightly) are sometimes worn hanging from the back of the cap. A regimental or clan badge is worn on the left-hand side, affixed to a silk or grosgrain ribbon cockade (usually black, white, or red), with the bonnet usually worn tilted to the right to display this emblem. The centre of the crown features a toorie, traditionally red. Some versions have a diced band (usually red and white check) around the lower edge's circumference.
North American usage[edit]
All Canadian highland regiments, e.g. the 48th Highlanders of Canada, the Nova Scotia Highlanders, and the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada,[2] as well as the officers, warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the Calgary Highlanders wear the Balmoral. It has also been recorded as being worn unofficially by Confederate soldiers in the American Civil War.[3]
Other usage[edit]
The Hong Kong Police Band bagpipes section wears a black and red version.