A Timeline of Highland Headwear

1914
 

Scottish infantry units went into theatre wearing Glengarries.
 

1915
 

Footballer Jack Peters of the 2nd A&SH, in his letter home published on the 5th of March, 1915, learned they were to be issued Balmorals shortly.

On the 14th of March 31 men of the 5th B.W. returned to Arbroath as medically unfit. Wearing Balmorals, described as recently issued, this was the first those in Angus had seen of the headgear.

Andrew McDonald of the 2nd G.H. stated in an interview from his bed, in Glasgow Infirmary in late May, that men chose to wear the knitted khaki "helmet" in the trenches. The Glengarries being too identifiable a target for snipers.

The 6th and 7th B.W were issued Khaki covered, Blue Balmoral bonnets, on Saturday the 22nd of May, 1915, shortly before they went into the trenches for the first time.
A letter home wrote of the better protection from the sun and rain they afforded than that of the Glengarry.
Captain F. T. Wallace of the 7th Btn wrote home when they came out of the trenches on the 26th, saying he was sending his Glengarry back.

Steel Helmets

In mid June, 1915, it was reported that the French were to issue steel helmets to their troops.

At the beginning of August, 1915, the War Office asked the French for 500 of their steel helmets, known as the Adrian, to experiment with.

On the 20th of September, 1915, the 2nd Btn B.W. were inspected by Lord Kitchener. They wore the red hackle in their Balmorals.

In a parliamentary report of 15th October, it was stated that the final pattern of steel helmet was chosen by the Commander-in-chief. They had been ordered and supplies were already being delivered. This followed trials during October by a limited number of troops.

The 15th of November "Graphic" magazine showed a Black Watch private in a newly issued wet weather hat, a soft hat with a sloping brim all around to keep the water away from the head and face.

In "The People" of November 21st it was reported British soldiers were being issued "anti-shrapnel" steel helmets. This early model had vertical ridges from the crown down to the lip, something the later smooth finished helmets did not have, and were nicknamed "jelly moulds" by the soldiers. These early ones were considered unsoldierly in appearance.

In early December, 1915. Pte Southwell, a Hebden Bridge soldier, wrote home stating his unit had been supplied with steel helmets and that they would prevent a lot of casualties.

1916

In January 1916 a published letter mentions the Highland troops wearing khaki Tam o'shanters in France.

On the 19th of April, 1916, it was stated in the house of commons that every man in the trenches had access to a steel helmet.
The minister of munitions received the first requisition for helmets in early November, 1915, supply was hampered by a lack of firms able to turn out the steel required. They were by mid April being referred to as "soup bowls" by the soldiers.

1917 'til end of war

The Scottish Command issued Order for the 25th of August, 1917.
"Head-Dress: Scottish Units.
It has been decided to provide bonnets, Tam-o'-Shanter, in lieu of Glengarries for all Scottish units in future, but considerable stocks of Glengarries of Provisional and Regulation patterns remain to be used up before a general issue of Tam-o'-Shanters will be possible."
This move standardised the mixed variety of Glengarries and Balmorals currently being worn across the Scottish regiments.