A Valentine's Day gift for me (and Jock Scot!)

[Panache]

As nice as glengarries and balmorals are (and I have and wear quite a few of them) they provide little shade or protection for ones ears. I had previously tried to find a nice tweed hat that would look good with highland attire

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...x.html?t=42533

A wonderful hat, and a great favorite of mine, but apparently not traditional.

Now there are tweed flatcaps...

Hmmmm...perhaps best not to go there!

Now a deer stalker is traditional with a kilt and I had purchased one by Herschel to go with my inverness cape. Over time I have developed a fondness for mine, but it was gray and it didn't work with my day wear outfits. Also to be frank, it is fine for rainy weather, but it isn't the nicest quality hat. So I thought a better made one in brown or tan one would be just the thing I was looking for.

My lovely Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess had asked me if I would like a new deer stalker hat for Valentine's Day as noted in this previous thread:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/l...143/index.html

X Marks the Scot advertiser Scotweb had some, but not in my size for the exact model I was looking at (they also had some very nice Harris tweed ones that were a little out of my wife's budget).

It appears that our own McMurdo offered her his aid in procuring one locally in Canada. Knowing Glen to have exceptional taste she gladly accepted his offer.

Soon thereafter a package arrived from up north (only to be whisked away from my hands by my dear wife)

This morning wee Xena woke me up and gave me a hat box

This is what was inside



This new cap is made in Scotland and the tweed is a nice sturdy wool acrylic blend with a much finer weave than my gray one. The quilted liner is soft and warm.

Immediately I thought to see how well it would work with a day wear outfit


My intent is to wear this as a handsome and functional hat. I know that the great majority of people equate a deer stalker as the "Sherlock Holmes' hat" but I have no intention of wearing mine as a costume piece.

First with my tweed jacket







The tweeds are not a perfect match but seem to go together nicely regardless.

By the by, I would love some feedback about the shoes and tie I am wearing in the pictures above. The tie picks up some of the colors of the Galbraith ancient tartan, but is a lot bolder pattern than I am used to wearing with any tartan. I am also not used to wearing slip on "loafer" type shoes. These were very comfortable and a great deal but I am not sure they work with a kilt. Let me know what you think.


And then my cotton twill "walking" jacket









I am very pleased with this lovely gift (I do wonder though if perhaps Jock Scot off in the highlands of Scotland might be even happier than I! )

Jock,

I can't say that I will never wear my gaffer trilby with a kilt again, but I can say that this marvelous deer stalker will get a lot of use.

Glen,

You have exquisite taste, my thanks for your part in helping the F-H.C.A.G. find the perfect hat.

My Lovely Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess,

You are my Forever Valentine and my Shining Star now and always!

Cheers

Jamie