A "Dirk" tattoo

**HazelStringer** · 21st December 17, 12:25 PM

Hi All,

My father in law had a tattoo of a dirk on his calf muscle and i am wondering if there was any significance to it? Eor example, is this a tattoo peculiar to one of the 1930's Glasgow gangs, to a regiment, sailors, a club or any cific group of people?

**Luke MacGillie** · 21st December 17, 12:30 PM

I know at least one piper who has a Skene dubh handle tattooed on their leg, so that even if they forget, or are prohibited from having a blade, one is there.

**imrichmond** · 21st December 17, 02:54 PM

I have seen pipers and drummers with sgian dubh tattoos on their legs. These are purely decorative with no special significance and the practice seems less popular now than it once was, despite the increased popularity of tattoos generally.

**HazelStringer** · 21st December 17, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by imrichmond

I have seen pipers and drummers with sgian dubh tattoos on their legs. ........

Hi,

As far as I am aware he was neither a piper nor a drummer!

**WalesLax** · 22nd December 17, 09:38 AM

A few few of my band mates have either the handle or full knife tattooed on for that same reason. I'd never thought of it prior, but now when I see someone with that tattoo wearing shorts, I often ask "piper, drummer, or color guard?" and usually it is one.

Rob

Originally Posted by Luke MacGillie

I know at least one piper who has a Skene dubh handle tattooed on their leg, so that even if they forget, or are prohibited from having a blade, one is there.

**WalesLax** · 22nd December 17, 09:43 AM

Was he Scottish? I recognize many places no longer allow people to carry weapons, which led to the popularity of the tattoo in Scotland and at Highland games.

Originally Posted by HazelStringer

Hi,

As far as I am aware he was neither a piper nor a drummer!

**HazelStringer** · 22nd December 17, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by WalesLax

Was he Scottish? .................

A very good question WalesLax!
honestly I am not sure but he grew up in Glasgow and had a strong accent. His merchant navy papers say he was born in Eire.

**The Q** · 23rd December 17, 01:38 AM

There have been a great amount of people who moved from Ireland to Scotland, especially when Ireland was divided. One of my great-grandfathers moved his family from what is now northern Ireland to Glasgow around 1900 this was in search of work.

I read somewhere that at some point in the past junior ranked soldiers were banned from wearing Sgain dubh's routinely ( is at non ceremonial times)) and their response was to have one tattooed on. Whether or not this is true I'm not sure..