[N. Campbell]

I have been researching the origins and symbolism of the red colour toorie typically on the crown of most Balmoral bonnets for some time now to no avail. I have heard some possible suggestions but nothing definitive, so I thought I would ask here and see if anyone may have an answer.

[Jock Scot]

I have no idea. I have always assumed that it is whatever the person making the bonnets thought was a good idea. Some are changed as time goes on , though. From what I recall there is a highland Duke who has a greenish balmoral with a red toorie. I have not seen that anywhere else.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I posted this once previously. Don't know that it's a definitive answer, but here you are:

I found this in 18th Century Highlanders by Stuart Reid and Mike Chappell, which is part of Osprey Military's "Men-At-Arms" series, p. 16.

The bonnet was invariably knitted and felted, using a heavy blue wool. In the 1740s is was quite flat, with the edge of the crown overhanging and largely obscuring the headband. The loose tufts of wool left sticking up in the centre were twisted into a tiny ball, but at a fairly early stage an entirely decorative ball or tourie was added. Normally this was made from red wool, which contrasted well with the blue bonnet; but during the American War the practice was instituted of distinguishing the bonnets worn by flank company men by using white touries for grenadiers and green for light infantry.

[Redshank]

Well, I thought maybe the historians amongst us would have come up with some answers by now ?

[BoldHighlander]

Originally Posted by Redshank

Well, I thought maybe the historians amongst us would have come up with some answers by now ?

To be honest the only thing I ever came up with is the Stuart Reid quote that HarborSpringsPiper posted above.

I looked in my copy of Sons of the Mountains: the Highland Regiments in the French & Indian War, 1756-1767 Vol.II by Ian Macpherson McCulloch to see what he might have in the section on headgear, and the only comments I could find were: "Loose tufts of wool left in the center were twisted into tiny balls, but at a fairly early stage a decorative ball known as a "tourie" was added."

Sorry I couldn't find more, perhaps someone else will.

[beloitpiper]

I don't think there is any symbolism behind the red color. Just like most pieces of highland attire it is simply decorative.

[Santa Kona]

I though I read somewhere that it was to ID officers during battle. But not a historian by a long shot.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Originally Posted by Santa Kona

I though I read somewhere that it was to ID officers during battle.

I'm not sure that was the case. I have an engraving dated 1784 which shows two Highland officers wearing glengarry bonnets with a panache of ostrich plumes on the left side denoting their status as officers. I suspect that it is most likely that the toorie evolved as a purely decorative addition to the commonly worn blue bonnet and has no secondary military meaning.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

double post

[N. Campbell]

Thanks to all who replied to this thread and added to the discussion thus far.

I contacted a gentleman with the Black Watch thinking someone within the regiment would surely be able to shed some light on why a red colour toorie was placed on the crown of the bonnet. However, I was not able to found out anything other than it is just the traditional coulour they have always worn. If there ever was any special meaning behind the red toorie it very well may be lost to time.