Unboxing! Feather Bonnet & Hackle - Matt Willis Bagpiper

In today's video, Matt Willis Bagpiper unboxes a tradition 4-tail feather bonnet (with real ostrich feathers) as well as two hackles. This is quite the hat! Many thanks to Jeremy Downs at Lone Star Piper for helping me get this fine bonnet!
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[@baal3223]

Just learning the bagpipes but i am totally becoming a expert just so i can wear a hat like that in public. it is awesome

[@people-jn5wz]

Alright MacWillis, we're shippin you off to Waterloo

[@tristanperry7255]

That is a beautiful bonnet. I've worn feather bonnets a few times and the one thing I've observed from experience is that the dye used on the ostrich feathers has a tendency to bleed in heavy rain. I did a performance in Ottawa where that happened and for some people the bonnets bled heavily onto their scarlet tunics, pretty much ruining a $1000 uniform, same thing happened to the Black watch pipe band from Montreal last year in Scotland apparently. And the wind is definitely not your friend when you're wearing it. the upside is you can effectively conceal a 26 of liquor in the top without too much issue.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Luckily, my doublet is black, but I can imagine running dye being a mess!

[@tylerdowie384]

You are most certainly doing us Scottish pipers proud Matt! Looking good

[@ianhusker6475]

Looking good Matt!! Now you can experience the joys of having the tails stuck in your mouth while playing outside on a windy day. They have never been the most comfortable of headgear. Can I give you a couple of tips from someone who has worn one for every band performance for the last 30 odd years. If the bonnet is a wee bit snug then I get a length of garden hose and wind it twice in the headband and cut it so that it is quite a tight fit when the 2 ends of the hose are put together. This will slightly stretch the headband. You can also slightly dampen the headband which will help. The other tip is to cut out that horrible plastic chin strap which will go hard and eventually crack, and replace it with a proper leather one that will stay supple and be more comfortable. The chin strap should be worn on the tip of the chin or slightly in front - never underneath.

[@djteague03]

Looking sharp Matt! The feather bonnet is the final piece I need for the full No.1 uniform. Not really in a great hurry to get one, but I will eventually.

[@nicolea2839]

It’s SOOoo FLOOFY

[@sandymutch9475]

Hi there is a small hook and elastic on the top of the bonnet because in a wind the hackle will fall out. It goes around the hackle

[@highwindsclarke2685]

The Trooping the Colour book I have mentions soldiers wearing their Bearskins to get used to them. Nice video.

[@sandymutch9475]

Hi on the top of the bonnet there is a small hook and electric to hold the hackle on and it won,t blow away

[@barrettbishop3771]

And I love we got a bonus 2nd Unboxing!

[@paulmaudsley2219]

Should be a brass O ring on the top of the hackle with an elastic cord ( black) and small clip to hold the top of the hackle still. On windy days we would wrap the back tail around the front tails to keep them from flying around.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

My hackles do not have this unfortunately (and I've dug into the them to look for them!)

[@lukehawkins7591]

Very interesting learnt a lot here once more. Many thanks😁

[@lesliethomson2441]

YAAAYYYY I clicked the "first" like LOL though, most definitely, not the first comment, Alan's comment about the tails is very relevant!

[@christiangibbs1482]

The strap for most military headgear is usually worn in front of the chin. This way, if an enemy pulls on the helmet in hand-to-hand combat, the strap will not choke the wearer. However, it also makes it a little more likely to fall off in the wind. Seeing as you are probably not going to engage in hand to hand combat, I would suggest that you wear it in whatever way is best for you. If you are worried about passing a regimental inspection, and looking as accurate as possible, put it in front of your chin. If you are more concerned about keeping it on your noggin, strap it under your chin. Whatever works best for you.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Great info! I’ve since gotten used to the “in front of the chin” style. That bonnet certainly impresses folks!

[@Backs4more]

We do not wear the strap “in front of the chin”. It should be under the chin.

[@michaelfaresich3085]

Great feather bonnet matt !! Looks sharp as hell , wear that with pride !!!!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thank you, sir! I love it!

[@gentlyhug869]

I have cut the feathers a bid with a sissor arround the diced rimband ..

[@michaelrs8010]

Very cool. I'd like to have one just to have one. Maybe to wear around the house in my bathrobe. 😄 I have no other "use, for it, but it would look darn cool sitting on the shelf. But since most seem to go for about $400-$600 (or anywhere from 395 to 1200). I'll just have to imagine it, unless somebody wants to get it for me for my next birthday or Christmas 👍😁

[@brianbaldwin6476]

Only the adjustment in the back to fit your head? Interesting. Wonderful looking bonnet!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I assume they are made to a specific size (not one size fits all) so one adjuster appears to be enough.

[@BigKiz65]

If you'd like the dicing to be more visible a lot of pipers & drummers trim the feathers a bit so you can see it better. If it gets wet, hang it upsides down and let it dry naturally. You also might want to thread a piece of string or wire at the top of the hackle through the hat to stop it falling to the side. Enjoy!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Great ideas!

[@maxwellfan55]

Yes. Most manufacturers (incl mine) has a thin black thread fixed to the bonnet which hooks up with the hackle (look also for a wee wire loop on the hackle) to keep it vertical and secure. Maybe yours has among the feathers...?

[@adamwiggins9865]

I lucked out.. I found an old Military brass band that wore full highland dress (the Galt Kilty band Cambridge Ont 🇨🇦) they were folding.. and I was able to buy a doublet for $150.🇨🇦Feather bonnet for $175🇨🇦 and a horse hair sporran for $75🇨🇦 (I should have bough an entire uniform) from what I heard they tossed the whole lot four years later 😫

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Lucky!

[@barrettbishop3771]

You could be a Vegas showgirl with headgear that large!

[@reallyaprilstarr]

I think we need to see that...

[@maxwellfan55]

You're lucky, the bonnet suits you well sir. And it's a fine bonnet too. I prefer the green hackle, especially with your Anderson tartan. For those with spectacles, wearing feather bonnets can be a problem. Tip. British Army guardsmen are encouraged to wear their bearskins when not on parade to assist the headwear forming a comfortable shape to the head. Try wearing your bonnet around the house, or during practice to do the same!

[@PatrickDionneKuno]

can you wear dress 1's even if you don't play bagpipes/drums like for attending a clan gathering?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can of course wear whatever you want, but I do think it’s be odd to show up dressed like this and not be a piper or drummer. I wouldn’t wear this as “civilian” gear. But that’s me.

[@PatrickDionneKuno]

@@MattWillisBagpiper ok thx

[@EvansSecret]

Hey Matt! Have you ever done a video on polishing the metal ferrules? I just got my first set of Naills, and they use Nickel ferrules. Noticed after a couple of days that they started to react to the oil on my fingers. I have some Flitz on the way, but at unsure on how to use it. I’m a trumpet player, but they are far more resistant than what I’m seeing with these ferrules.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I have not, but I need to. In any case, use a super soft microfiber cloth and follow the directions on the product (I haven't actually used Flitz, but have heard good things about it)

[@EvansSecret]

@@MattWillisBagpiper sounds like a plan! I appreciate the guidance! Hoping applying this coat will prevent it from getting so easily “icky” in the future, since Flitz supposes to protect the metal for 6 months

[@EvansSecret]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I spent a little over an hour with Flitz Polish and it didn’t do the trick. It removed the tarnish from my Nickel ferrules, but it immediately came back after one day of play. I will try Renaissance Wax Polish next, as it apparently is really great for preventing tarnish on Nickel. I also heard Turtle Wax works too?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The RG Hardie metal polish leaves a protective coating that lasts a good few weeks/months (depending on how often it’s handled).

[@EvansSecret]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I’m a beginner, so I’m handling them quite a bit more than I probably should. I’ll give the Hardie a shot before Renaissance! I am also going to try and avoid touching the ferrules, but am wiping them down after use, anyway. Thanks for the advice!

[@ralphhunter118]

It looks amazing, it seems that having the strap on your chin would make it a bit tricky to play - but I dunno.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The strap isn't too bad. You don't have to fasten it tightly for the bonnet to stay on your head.

[@DevinRules]

Where did you buy it?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Lone Star Piper --> www.lonestarpiper.com

[@COUGES2]

is there many pipers that wear the white ostrich bonnet

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I've never seen a white one...

[@vladislav_aleksandrov2761]

Wait so.. you performed at the university with the bonnet on but you’re doing the unboxing after?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Very clever! There's a good 5 weeks between the unboxing of the bonnet and the hackle. I don't often lean into these "time fluctuations" but the nature of presenting online content is what it is....

[@vladislav_aleksandrov2761]

@@MattWillisBagpiper ah okay okay))

[@Highlanderstopmotion]

Where do I get this hat

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

www.lonestarpiper.com

[@PatrickDionneKuno]

can you change the color of the dicing?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I’ve seen different colored dicing, so I know it must be possible. Likely to have to put in a custom order.

[@doedelzakker]

Don't know for sure if your feather bonnet has it. But normally you attach the top of your hackle to a string/ring on the top of the bonnet. It should be exactly in the middle of the top of your bonnet. Let me know if you found it! 😅

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I did find it! Theres a little hook at the end. Where does it attach on the hackle? There’s no corresponding loop on top...

[@doedelzakker]

​@@MattWillisBagpiper my hackle has a wire at the top with a ring on it. This attaches to the wire on the bonnet. But it may be a different kind of hackle, I'm not sure. Mine is not as tall, it doesn't stick out over the bonnet as much as yours. Here you can find some photo's of my band for reference: www.dutchpipesanddrums.nl/about

[@moellersworkshop2116]

Matt, you have ways of making ridiculous things look dignified. Now I want one, not that I'll be able to complement the thing with my old-fart head, perhaps I can compensate with my piping... uh, probably not.

[@tbwpiper189]

MacTatonka

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Wondered if anyone would see that...

[@jimmclean9312]

Always hated wearing those things. On a hot day it feels like someone is tightening a giant hose clamp on your head. The only upside is that you could shove a can of beer inside for " Smashed " bands.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It's certainly not comfortable, but looks so snappy! And I loled at smashed bands.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Cannae beat a guid bunnet!

[@nicolea2839]

Aye

[@alanbeveridge7404]

Four tail bonnets are for the enlisted soldiers, five tail bonnets are for officers

[@uilliam52]

and Gentlemen.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'll have to settle for four... Besides, I can't imagine how much floofier 5 tails would look!

[@maxwellfan55]

Also 5 for Warrant Officers and Drum/Pipe Majors , to be exact.

[@ThePatureaux]

So, Matt you're wearing a pipe major uniform. Therefore you should have a 5-tailer bonnet.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I ain’t buying another one, so 4 will have to suffice. 💪