Jock's New Balmoral

**creagdhubh** · 24th March 10, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Redshank

At Dunadd Trading Company I do try and set my prices so as to offer the kilted community an opportunity to by quality Scottish made products at an affordable price.

Chris

And that you do mate, that you most certainly do! My pics of my own fawn/lovat green diced, Mackie Balmoral from Dunadd are forthcoming!!! Thanks again Chris!!!

Aye,

**creagdhubh** · 24th March 10, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

They would be hard pressed to beat the prices that include free world wide shipping that Chris (Redshank) offers at Dunadd Trading Company for Mackie bonnets and House of Chevoit hose.

Precisely!

**celtophile** · 24th March 10, 02:31 PM

My understanding has been that you wear the ribbons down if you are "unattached" and tied up if you are "taken".

Beautiful Bonnet Jock!!

Celt

**piperdbh** · 24th March 10, 02:34 PM

Redshank,
Would it be possible to get a Balmoral in a size 8 1/2, or are they made only in boys' sizes?

I've got a big ol' head full of brains, and I keep thinking I need a red Balmoral to keep the wind from blowing them away.

The reason I'm posting this here and not PMing directly is that there might be somebody else here in the same boat as me.

Thanks!

**Brian K** · 24th March 10, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

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

**Brian K** · 24th March 10, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Redshank,
Would it be possible to get a Balmoral in a size 8 1/2, or are they made only in boys' sizes?

Wow! And I've always been told that I had a large head at 7 1/2!

At the Dunadd Trading Company website the size chart goes to 8, but since Chris was able to get Mackie to make a custom sized crown for Jock I would think that a custom sized band would be available, too - for a price.

The bonnet Jock sent to me is a Mackie and it looks like it'll last a hundred years or more with some proper care. It'd be a wise investment on your part.

Regards,

Brian

**Redshank** · 24th March 10, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Redshank,
Would it be possible to get a Balmoral in a size 8 1/2, or are they made only in boys' sizes?

I've got a big ol' head full of brains, and I keep thinking I need a red Balmoral to keep the wind from blowing them away.

The reason I'm posting this here and not PMing directly is that there might be somebody else here in the same boat as me.

Thanks!

I don't expect it will be a problem, but let me first confirm with Mackie's in the morning and I will give you a definate yes/no tomorrow.

**macwilkin** · 24th March 10, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Brian K

I'll keep that in mind, Bro., and if I'm having a custom badge made perhaps it might be nice to have it made in the style of a Past master's jewel. It would be different from the usual and the Masonic cap badges I've seen so far have appeared a bit bland. A set of compasses and a quadrant on a sunburst would avoid that, I think

And thanks for the compliment, by the way.

Regards,

Brian

Just an observation: Scottish masons tend to not wear the membership in the craft "on their sleeve" as some American masons do. I know that there are now a plethora of masonic accessories and even tartans, but INMHO, I prefer to wear my ring or perhaps the odd lapel badge, and then only when attending meetings.

I'm not sure a PM's jewel would look good as a bonnet badge. If I remember correctly, the AASR Scottish style cap badges were designed for the Knights of St. Andrew, a group in the AASR that sometimes wears Highland kit as part of a uniform -- although the Scottish Rite really isn't "Scottish" in origin!

But, that's just my opinion. You should do what you wish of course.

T.

**Brian K** · 24th March 10, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Just an observation: Scottish masons tend to not wear the membership in the craft "on their sleeve" as some American masons do. I know that there are now a plethora of masonic accessories and even tartans, but INMHO, I prefer to wear my ring or perhaps the odd lapel badge, and then only when attending meetings.

I'm not sure a PM's jewel would look good as a bonnet badge. If I remember correctly, the AASR Scottish style cap badges were designed for the Knights of St. Andrew, a group in the AASR that sometimes wears Highland kit as part of a uniform -- although the Scottish Rite really isn't "Scottish" in origin!

But, that's just my opinion. You should do what you wish of course.

T.

I appreciate your thoughts, Todd. I am still in the early stages of thinking about this and value all opinions. I know that Masons in the UK are more discreet than those of us on this side of the Pond, but the first Masonic cap badge I saw was on the website of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, I think. It was a strap and buckle surrounding the S&C. I was thinking of something similar with a NY or CA style PM emblem. But I may never actually go through with it. Again, it is a germ of an idea.

Even in Lodge I do not make a huge show of Masonic jewelry. My ring no longer fits me and my favorite lapel pin is one that belonged to my grandfather - it might actually have been my great-grandfather's before him. It's probably close to 100 years old and it is a very plain S&C that is so small people have been known to reach to brush off a bit of lint from my lapel before they were close enough to realize it was a pin.

I'm in no rush for a cap badge, but I do enjoy thinking out loud. Thanks for your input.

Regards,

Brian