I'm either ordering or sewing a tam in the near future, but had a question about positioning of the cockade. I've seen pictures of it on either side of the tam, and also feathers pointed up AND down - is there a 'right' way to wear it?
(http://www.mistythicket.com/ebay/scottish_tam_linen_02.jpg)
(http://www.talltoad.net/Berets/WB-BRWG.jpg)
The modern standard for balmorals, bonnets or glengarries is to put badges, cockades or hackles on the left side, but that probably comes from later military conventions. For Renaissance time period it probably could be either side, but I would lean toward going with the left side to avoid comments from the nitpickers. I'd also lean towards feathers up.