Balmoral question

**davedove** · 3rd February 09, 11:29 AM

There are different tales about what to do with the ribbons and what they signify: Married vs, single, highland vs, lowland, etc.

Originally Posted by thescot

...

However, the modern ribbon is superfluous, and is strictly an ornament, if you will. And it should be tied like the old ones.

...

This is the true story. The ribbons were originally used to size the hat to the individual when balmorals were made a standard size. This would of course required tying the ribons together.

Since balmorals are now made in different sizes, the ribbons are no longer needed and are just decoration. Do with them what you will.

I personally tie mine. I think it looks better and I can't stand the ribbons dangling against my neck.

**Jack Daw** · 28th January 09, 12:02 PM

Hello and welcome from Houston, TX!

**Tim Little** · 28th January 09, 12:41 PM

A belated welcome!!

I'm not much of a hat-wearer myself, so I'm afraid I can't add very much to the question at hand. I trust you've received plenty of good advice already.

I seem to recall reading something in Thompson that the ribbons could either be tied or left untied according to one's taste... or cut off completely! (I'm not sure what that says as an indication of one's "affections".)

Did you make it to Burns Night at Redhook on Saturday? Where were you seated? Jmercier and I were at a table over by the entrance; cleghorn kilts was obviously otherwise occupied as MC for the evening. (And yes, that is a Mackenzie tartan kilt I'm wearing.

)

If you haven't already, you should check out the pix here... and feel free to add any of your own, of course!