The woollen bonnet is thought to have arrived in
Scotland through scholars returning home from the
centres of learning on the continent during the
16th century. In a country where the weather could change very quickly, the bonnet was quickly
adopted and became an essential item of everyday
wear. In Ayrshire, the bonnet making trade had
become established by the late 1500’s, with a
trade guild formed in 1590.
Our bonnets are the genuine article, Ayrshire-
made, by Robert Mackie, an old family firm, established over 177
years ago, carrying on the centuries old tradition
of Scottish bonnet making. The construction of our
Scottish hats is far superior to the cheap foreign
copies from South Asia, each Balmoral, Glengarry
and Beret Tam is hand finished by highly skilled
tradesmen, using the highest quality materials
which comply with the rigorous standards imposed
by the UK Ministry of Defence for military
accoutrements.
Robert Mackie, our hat makers, have ceased making traditional Scottish headwear. Last chance to buy as our remaining stock is now very limited.