Tam o’ Shanter

We have been selling Tammys - a large floppy beret with a pompom - historically called bonnets, for over 20 yrs. The name ‘Tammy’ derives from Tam o' Shanter, the eponymous hero of the 1759 Robert Burns poem. January the 25th marks the birth of Robert Burns and round the world Scots like to celebrate with a Burns supper and eat their national dish – Haggis.

Haggis is a savoury pudding containing sheep's heart, liver, and lungs, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and cooked while traditionally encased in the sheep’s stomach. Although its description is not immediately appealing, Haggis has an excellent nutty texture and delicious savoury flavour.

When the steaming Haggis is brought to the table there is an ‘Address to a Haggis’ a Burns poem that is read out before eating it. This is all celebrated and washed down with some local whisky or Irn Bru and the evening traditionally ends with Scottish dancing or a ceilidh.

Tammys have been made in Stewarton, Aryshire in southwest Scotland since the 16th Century. The town is renowned for bonnet making and is known as the ‘Bonnet Toun’. Originally the blue bonnet was the customary workwear of Scottish labourers and farmers. 

Modern Tammys are knitted on a zero-waste knitting machines that fully shapes them. They are made of a dense firm knit, which is extremely warm and windproof. If you want a warm head this winter get yourself a Tammy!