Tam o' shanter (cap)

A Tam o'shanter is a Scottish bonnet worn by men which was named after a character invented by Robert Burns. (See also Cutty Sark). The bonnet is made of wool with a toorie (pompon) in the centre, and the crown is about twice the diameter of the head. It might be available in plain colours or in different tartans.

Various Tam o'Shanters

Tam o'shanters are worn by the Scottish infantry regiments of the British Army instead of berets. They are plain khaki in colour and are stiffer than civilian tam o'shanters, with a narrower, flat crown often worn sloping down from back to front. The Royal Highland Fusiliers wear a white hackle on their dress headgear.

Trivia

• In the opening credits of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) joyfully throws her Tam o'shanter cap up in the air. A statue of Mary throwing the cap was dedicated in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May 2001.