Jock's New Balmoral

[Brian K]

As you know, my principal contribution to this thread was a declaration that I didn't think I could bring myself to abuse a bonnet as valuable as a Mackie Balmoral in the manner herein demonstrated. I was assured it was a necessary process and that I would have to make myself do it!

About 2 weeks ago I received a PM from Jock inquiring about my hat size. It seemed he had a Mackie Bonnet in need of a home. After a few exchanges I agreed to risk it and Jock posted his generous gift on March 10th.

This morning I received a text message from my sister at 7:45 am. She is the Postmaster of our small town and she had been keeping an eye open for my package - it had arrived.

Jock had told me it was a 7 1/4 (a generous 7 1/4) so it shouldn't be too difficult to stretch it to fit. It had already been "Jocked" so it was used to being tortured and would probably comply .

No further torture is necessary (not that I won't try the technique just to see it first hand) as it fits like it was made for me!

I am now the proud owner of a Robert Mackie Balmoral bonnet that has been customized by the hand of a master - to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.

Jock, if I am ever fortunate enough to visit Inverness I'll by a bottle and we'll share a wee (not so wee?) dram or three!! Thank you, my friend!

This picture was taken by one of the kids at the store where I am the assistant manager.

[creagdhubh]

As you know, my principal contribution to this thread was a declaration that I didn't think I could bring myself to abuse a bonnet as valuable as a Mackie Balmoral in the manner herein demonstrated. I was assured it was a necessary process and that I would have to make myself do it!

About 2 weeks ago I received a PM from Jock inquiring about my hat size. It seemed he had a Mackie Bonnet in need of a home. After a few exchanges I agreed to risk it and Jock posted his generous gift on March 10th.

This morning I received a text message from my sister at 7:45 am. She is the Postmaster of our small town and she had been keeping an eye open for my package - it had arrived.

Jock had told me it was a 7 1/4 (a generous 7 1/4) so it shouldn't be too difficult to stretch it to fit. It had already been "Jocked" so it was used to being tortured and would probably comply .

No further torture is necessary (not that I won't try the technique just to see it first hand) as it fits like it was made for me!

I am now the proud owner of a Robert Mackie Balmoral bonnet that has been customized by the hand of a master - to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.

Jock, if I am ever fortunate enough to visit Inverness I'll by a bottle and we'll share a wee (not so wee?) dram or three!! Thank you, my friend!

This picture was taken by one of the kids at the store where I am the assistant manager.

You look wonderful! Is the headband just below the dicing a different color? It looks more olive green than the main fawn color of the balmoral. Very cool!

[Brian K]

You look wonderful! Is the headband just below the dicing a different color? It looks more olive green than the main fawn color of the balmoral. Very cool!

Thanks, Kyle. The body of the hat and the binding and ribbons are approximately the same color, but I am sure the wool and the grosgrain ribbon aged at a slightly different pace in its previous life in the Highlands. In addition to that I was standing almost directly under a fluorescent light fixture and the lighting would be dicey at best

Regards,

Brian