Visiting Scotland: Sgian Dubh's and Do(bh)n'ts

[gwynng]

I'm visiting Scotland in September and was wondering the do's and don'ts of sgian dubh wearing. I'd like to respect tradition and wear one, but not sure of the legality of carrying a blade in the UK.

I have a decent, if a little dressy one, and a dreadful "safety" model that came with a package years ago. A sgian brew seems like a good alternative, but haven't got one of those. Definitely know to pack anything pointy in checked luggage.

Advice?

[cessna152towser]

If I were you I would not bring a sgian-dhu.
Technically the sgian-dhu is illegal as wearing one equates to the carrying of a knife, however in normal circumstances the police would normally turn a blind eye to the wearing of a sgian-dhu. Where you are more likely to have problems would be in liquor licensed premises or attending events where you may be asked to leave the sgian-dhu in the cloakroom. Sgian-dhus are rarely worn with the kilt here in Scotland, usually only as part of a formal outfit for attending a wedding or playing in a pipe band. I regularly wear kilts but very rarely wear one of my sgian-dhus, probably only once or twice a year if something special is happening.

[Jock Scot]

If in doubt, don't. Common sense is your watch word here. In truth I have never had a problem carrying a sgian almost anywhere in the UK and I usually do when wearing the kilt. There are places where I would not carry one, though! As I understand it and I am no legal man, "national attire" gets round most things if sensibly done, although as a non Scot some police may not consider that you would qualify there (sorry!). All it takes is for you to be in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong policeman and with the zero tolerance to knives in Scotland(not sure about the rest of the UK, but the police are pretty "hot" too, I think) then problems might occur.

[Grizzly]

As Alex and Jock have said above, if in doubt don't wear it.

However it is perfectly legal to do so. The law is as follows -

In areas with "zero tolerance" weapons policies, or heightened security concerns, the wearing of the sgian-dubh as part of traditional Scottish dress has sometimes created controversy. One such incident was the banning of sgian-dubhs from a school dance in Scotland.
As with many other knives and cutting tools, air travellers have to put their sgian-dubh in checked baggage.
In Scotland, it is legal under the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 Sec. 49, Sub-sec. 5(c) to wear a sgian-dubh, or other weapon, as part of any national costume.[6]
In England and Wales, it is legal under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (section 139)[7] and the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 (section 4)[8] for someone wearing the national costume of Scotland to carry a sgian-dubh - see knife legislation.

Fixed bladed knives are frowned upon and to quote the above laws may get you more hassle than its worth.

[Hopper250]

It sounds like the sgian-brew is the way to go, if you carry at all.

[Dale Seago]

I think this can be a very valuable thread that probably deserves to be made a "sticky" for the benefit of others.

However, since it deals with the sgian as something which may be perceived as a weapon (its origin as a utility tool for dealing with things already dead notwithstanding!), it might be better placed in the "Weapons As Kilt Accessories" subforum:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f316/

[gwynng]

Thanks gents. That was exactly the advice I needed. I want to be respectful and proper of national dress traditions, but well within the law too. I thought there was probably a law regarding knives in the UK. Since I plan on being in a variety of places, country, city, and museums to pubs, it seems wise to leave it home.

Just one less thing to pack!

cheers,
Gwynn

[AKScott]

Since the thread is open and seems to be on an even keel, I would add that I had an offline conversation with one of our members in the UK several months ago.

As the OP is in San Diego I suspect we would find that his and my ideas, background, culture, expectations and so on regarding sgains as a pocket knife to wear in a sock instead of folded in the sporran are very similar - and we would both be looking at the thing from a point of view dramatically different from "most" (many?) citizens of the UK.

The objective fact that anyone can verify with a few minutes on google is that knife violence is an ENORMOUS problem in the UK compared to the US. Why doesn't matter, my point is the beliefs, expectations and culture of those in the UK about sgains is different from the attitudes, expectations and so on of those living in the US.

When I go, I'll probably have a sgain brew in my hose, because I am not flying all the way to Scotland to stay out of the bars.

[Derek]

I had the blade of my SD cut off many many years ago now to be on the safe side. I secure the sheath to the handle with a small piece of tape. Its simply a piece of wood now. I always wear it everywhere I go (from pubs, theatres, gigs, parties, Euro Star, Abroad & everything else you do in normal life) and have NEVER had a problem from any source about it in 37years.
Hope thats some help ...
Iechyd Da
Derek

[Arnot]

I do not see an issue with carrying a sgian dubh. I am an American living in the UK. I have lived here just short of 4 years. In that time I have worn my kilts most of the time when out and about. I always carry a sgian dubh. I have been all over Scotland and England (Wales not as much unfortunately) and have only ever had a couple of questions from individuals. I do not come across as a knife-wielding hoodlum so the kilt is mainly what people ask about.

Having said all of that, common sense does apply. I have had to go to a few government facilities and left the knives in the car. When my business was done, it went back in the sock (or pocket if wearing trousers) where it belongs.