Dirk plus Braemar

[turpin]

I'd like to wear my Dirk for Burns nite but is there a way it works best with a Braemar jacket without getting hung up between the belt and the jacket?

Pix?

[Phil]

Highland dress in Burns' time was a curiosity which he would have seen on his travels in the Highlands but not something he would ever have worn himself. Of course, there is nothing wrong in wearing whatever you feel appropriate, especially if it is a bit of a formal do but weapons such as a dirk are not usual, unless you are the piper of course. You really need to get yourself one of the doublets if you plan to accoutre yourself with weaponry, preferably with belt(s) over it which then allows unfettered access to the weapons should the need arise. Hopefully it won't come to that, of course, but when the drams start to flow you just never know....

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In answer to you question, no, there is no way of satisfactorily wearing a dirk with your jacket. Due to the length and cut of your jacket your dirk will become hung up if you wear it, unless it is hung virtually in line with the centre of your body, in which case it will run afoul of your sporran.

Dirks worn with evening dress should be ornate. Since ornate equals expensive they are best reserved for those occasions when full highland dress would be worn-- in other words "white tie" events. Powder horns, swords, and pistols being no longer worn the dirk is the last vestige of Victorian/Edwardian highland romanticism. They are probably better cherished as family heirlooms and object d'art than worn to the local Burns Supper.

[svc40bt]

You might be able to attach it to the sporran, as you have some experience with them. Otherwise you would need some sort of baldric worn over the jacket, which would likely look rather odd.

I could think of a couple other ways to wear one, but they would likely be uncomfortable and the dirk would be concealed, which would probably defeat the purpose of wearing it in the first place, unless you are expecting trouble at Burn's Night, and could also run you afoul of the local constabulary.

[turpin]

Well, I guess I'll just carry it. I am giving "The Address" and plan to trench its gushing entrails bricht at the appropriate time. I could use my sgian dubh, but I'm not sure I want to subject my lovely Howard Clark blade to such an indignity.

[beloitpiper]

Why not hang it from a kilt strap? Although, that might damage the kilt...

[Piper]

I am giving "The Address" and plan to trench its gushing entrails bricht at the appropriate time.

I would simply arrange for it to be placed on the table beforehand. That way it's where you need it, and you don't have to worry about it tangling up in other parts of your kit.

[Leprechaun 91]

Highland dress in Burns' time was a curiosity which he would have seen on his travels in the Highlands but not something he would ever have worn himself. Of course, there is nothing wrong in wearing whatever you feel appropriate, especially if it is a bit of a formal do but weapons such as a dirk are not usual, unless you are the piper of course. You really need to get yourself one of the doublets if you plan to accoutre yourself with weaponry, preferably with belt(s) over it which then allows unfettered access to the weapons should the need arise. Hopefully it won't come to that, of course, but when the drams start to flow you just never know....

But when you slay the Haggis, you will certainly need to have ready access to your weapon.

[beowulf67]

I know the gentleman that addresses the haggis at our St. Andrews dinner always wears his dirk with his PC, but that's a little different I guess.
You could just wear your claymore across your back and then draw it dramatically at the proper moment, reminiscent of "Braveheart". Don't forget to yell, "FRRRRREEEEDDDOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm"

[Fougasse]

I have stabbed the haggis with many implements and the most effective, if not the most aesthetically pleasing, was a well sharpened kitchen knife! On a practical note, if you do want to use your own dirk have it pre-placed on the table where the disembowelling will take place.