"Brigadoonery"? "TCHD"? Who decides?

[BadenochWolf]

The answer for "why the pith helmet?" goes back to my sensible deviation from convention point. A wool bonnet is a terrible choice in the Arabian or Indian sun. Something lighter with a little shade makes sense. @Panache lives in California where the sun gets pretty hot compared to Badenoch, so he may have chosen a logical garment with a kilted precedent over say a cowboy hat which would serve the same function but be more incongruous due to its iconic Western status.

Does that help any?

Sadly, I'm not actually *in* Badenoch, though parts of my Scots heritage come from that area. I chose the forum name because one Alexander Stewart was given the appellation "the Wolf of Badenoch." I thought it would work as a way to consolidate differing parts of family history in one username. It wasn't until after I had made the name that I learned his moniker was NOT a compliment.

I was slightly bemused to see the pith helmet accepted over Balmoral or Glengarry in hot weather. My only extended contact with *actual* Scots, aside from a few ex-pats, was in Iraq running supplies into the Triangle of Death for the Black Watch. Even in that blistering weather, inside the wire, I only ever saw them in Glengarry or khaki ToS (with cockade). Granted, this is a point of unit pride and esprit de corps, but I wasn't sure how the pith helmet worked in to acceptable warm-weather headgear. Hence my questions.

I'd like to ask you and @Panache, as well as the wider forum: If one is not quite confident enough to wear a pith helmet in public, what headgear would be traditionally acceptable in a blisteringly-hot, sunny climate? My local games are coming up soon. The forecast for the day is currently 90+°F (32+°C), ~100%rH, full sun, and nary a breeze. I'm rather fair and would like not to end the day as red as my scarlet flashes, nor would I like to flirt with heat stroke.

[Nathan]

Sadly, I'm not actually *in* Badenoch, though parts of my Scots heritage come from that area. I chose the forum name because one Alexander Stewart was given the appellation "the Wolf of Badenoch." I thought it would work as a way to consolidate differing parts of family history in one username. It wasn't until after I had made the name that I learned his moniker was NOT a compliment.

I was slightly bemused to see the pith helmet accepted over Balmoral or Glengarry in hot weather. My only extended contact with *actual* Scots, aside from a few ex-pats, was in Iraq running supplies into the Triangle of Death for the Black Watch. Even in that blistering weather, inside the wire, I only ever saw them in Glengarry or khaki ToS (with cockade). Granted, this is a point of unit pride and esprit de corps, but I wasn't sure how the pith helmet worked in to acceptable warm-weather headgear. Hence my questions.

I'd like to ask you and @<u><a href="http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/member.php?u=2230" target="_blank">Panache</a></u>, as well as the wider forum: If one is not quite confident enough to wear a pith helmet in public, what headgear would be traditionally acceptable in a blisteringly-hot, sunny climate? My local games are coming up soon. The forecast for the day is currently 90+°F (32+°C), ~100%rH, full sun, and nary a breeze. I'm rather fair and would like not to end the day as red as my scarlet flashes, nor would I like to flirt with heat stroke.

I noticed you weren't *in* Badenoch, but I needed a Highland locale to juxtapose with California and your moniker served as fine inspiration. I'm a fan of the look of a Panama hat or the Tilly hat for very hot weather but just like the soldiers you mentioned, I still tend to wear my Balmoral or simply go hatless with lots of sunscreen. Thankfully, I have enough hair to protect my scalp for now. I wore a Balmoral bonnet and a beret in uniform in extremely hot temperatures and you get used to it. I did wear a pith helmet for a big parade once and it was comfortable in the sun, I have to say. I personally wouldn't wear it with civilian attire - just my style preference - but this guy does a good job with it.

[Panache]

...
I'd like to ask you and @Panache, as well as the wider forum: If one is not quite confident enough to wear a pith helmet in public, what headgear would be traditionally acceptable in a blisteringly-hot, sunny climate? My local games are coming up soon. The forecast for the day is currently 90+°F (32+°C), ~100%rH, full sun, and nary a breeze. I'm rather fair and would like not to end the day as red as my scarlet flashes, nor would I like to flirt with heat stroke.

A nice panama hat is perfect way to ward off the Summer sun. This is what I wore after the Red Thistle Dancers performance on Saturday at the Pleasanton Highland Games when it was 90+



And what I wore the next day at the Games



The panama is nothing if not practical

Cheers

Jamie

[mookien]

In post #20 that's my brother in the Holyrood! Note that both Alan and the "kilt inspector" are looking at him. Not a good sign.

[bwat]

In post #20 that's my brother in the Holyrood! Note that both Alan and the "kilt inspector" are looking at him. Not a good sign.

I wound back throught the thread to see what you were talking about here. This lead to the realisation that I've spent too much time on this forum since discovering it. This conclusion was reached from the following two premises:

1) I correctly identified the Holyrood kilt and fairly quickly to boot, and
2) I noticed the kilt before I noticed the kilt inspector.


Number two has me slightly concerned to be perfectly honest.

[mookien]

bwat: I know what you mean.

[Orionson]

Sadly, I'm not actually *in* Badenoch, though parts of my Scots heritage come from that area. I chose the forum name because one Alexander Stewart was given the appellation "the Wolf of Badenoch." I thought it would work as a way to consolidate differing parts of family history in one username. It wasn't until after I had made the name that I learned his moniker was NOT a compliment.

Don't be so harsh on the Wolf. To paraphrase; one man's Bandito is another man's Robin Hood. The Wolf is buried in Dunkeld Cathedral in a rather fine sarcophagus.



In my book, anyone who gave the rapacious Bishops a hard time can't have been all bad. Carry your name with your head held high.

[Downunder Kilt]

Here is what I wear on the noggin for those days you describe, an Akubra. From memory, this day was 40C and not a cloud in the sky

[SeumasA]

I'd like to ask you and @Panache, as well as the wider forum: If one is not quite confident enough to wear a pith helmet in public, what headgear would be traditionally acceptable in a blisteringly-hot, sunny climate? My local games are coming up soon. The forecast for the day is currently 90+°F (32+°C), ~100%rH, full sun, and nary a breeze. I'm rather fair and would like not to end the day as red as my scarlet flashes, nor would I like to flirt with heat stroke.

Our summertime temps are usually 95-100F. This is what I wear, kilted or not. I'm more concerned about practicality than being historically accurate. I think my Scottish ancestors would agree.

[OC Richard]

I was slightly bemused to see the pith helmet accepted over Balmoral or Glengarry in hot weather. My only extended contact with *actual* Scots, aside from a few ex-pats, was in Iraq running supplies into the Triangle of Death for the Black Watch. Even in that blistering weather, inside the wire, I only ever saw them in Glengarry or khaki ToS (with cockade).

Strange that the current Black Watch, armed with our modern knowledge about the dangers of skin cancer and eye diseases caused by the sun, wear un-protective headgear when their regimental ancestors of 100 years ago protected themselves from the sun by any means available





That's what Highlanders 100 years ago did in sunny places. THIS is traditional. THIS is historically accurate. On what grounds could a modern kiltwearer that did the same be criticised?