Features of a Scottish Glengarry Cap
The Scottish Glengarry is a distinctive folding cap whose badge, toorie and hackle can identify regimental traditions. Laurence Kirwan's painting uses these small details to explore the character of a historic uniform item.
A Glengarry Side-cap or Garrison Cap with a hackle is a traditional Scottish folding cap made of thick wool with a black rosette or a tartan patch on the side which is often overlaid with the Regimental Insignia. There may be a decorative upright feather or feathers known as a '"hackle" pinned behind the patch and insignia. On top is a round, usually red pom-pom or "toorie." See below:
Glengarry Cap: A boat-shaped, crease-free Scottish cap made of thick-milled wool featuring a flat top, ribbon tails at the back, and often a diced (checkered) Sillitoe tartan band around the base.
Hackle: A 4-to-6-inch plume made of dyed feathers attached behind the cap badge on the left side of the Glengarry.
Key Features of a Glengarry
Toorie: also spelt "Torrie" is fluffy pom-pom on the top of the cap, which is most often bright red.
Rosette: This is a fabric cockade on the left side of the cap often a clan crest or military badge such as the Seaforth Highlanders. Alternatively, the cockade may be replaced with a Clan tartan patch.
Ribbons: Two black silk ribbons hang down the back of the wearer's neck.
History and Usage
Origins: Historical records trace the cap back to 1794 with the Scottish military unit known as the Glengarry Fencibles.
Uniforms: It became a standard headpiece for Scottish military regiments and pipe bands.
Highland Dress: Civilians wear it as part of formal or informal Scottish Highland dress, alongside outfits featuring kilts
Above is a Glengarry Side Cap. the point should be over the left eye and it is worn, since 1947, level, instead of tilted to the right. Below is a "Bombay Bowler" Foreign Service Helmet" made in Calcutta in WW2, with the Seaforth Highlanders Regimental Insignia over a tartan patch with a red and white hackle.
A simpler version without the hackle or the tartan patch. This is the model for the painting.
Here is the initial sketch:
Here are some ai images featuring the Glengarry.
Final painting of a Gordon Highlander Glengarry Garrison Cap.
Explore related art and historical background for related artwork and background.
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