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

**KiltFitz** · 10th July 13, 06:04 AM

I think we should put this to bed now. I can well understand the concerns of someone from the States or elsewhere in the world who has seen difficult encounters regarding the wearing of a ceremonial weapon. In the United States that is.

The question was not put to us in the context of travelling in the U.S. or elsewhere. It was asked specifically in relation to travelling in Scotland and any informed opinion I might offer relates purely to Scotland and the rest of the U.K. by extension.

Naturally, I cannot offer guarantees against the absurd but I repeat that running into trouble with the police just for wearing a sgian dubh with a kilt is unlikely.

Recently, I have been to a few highland games and worn my sgian dubh at all of them. I even came into contact with the police who were unconconcerned althougnthey were happy to acquiesce to my request to fake an arrest of my friend "because he is annoyingly tall" (see pics: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...18#post1180918). A real arrest for the same reason would be about as likely as a 999 call for a sgian dubh. Scottish police are quite approachable depending upon how they find you when they arrive.

Visitors to Scotland, a request. Please do rely upon us to exercise common sense. It's how we go about our lives and we would prefer that senseless behaviour was the exception rather than the norm. You could dream up a thousand fictional scenarios involving police, weapons, insanely agitated members of the public or robot telephonists but this will have little to do with reality or the common experience of going peacefully about your life in Scotland. Good judgement and discretion are your best protection against negative experiences.

**Katia** · 10th July 13, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Jordan

That's I'd something I've almost never come across. The exception being an establishment asking if I have a Sgian and can I check it at the door, and meeting up with Kilties who say "That's a nice looking Sgian, can I have a look?" In my experience, and having traveled a few places now in my kilts. Most people pay more attention to the guy wandering around in a skirt than what he has hanging out of his sock.

LOL, perhaps that is the difference. I have a hard time convincing people that what I'm wearing is NOT "just" a skirt... so they wouldn't see that as out of the ordinary (though people do tend to like my "skirt").

To be fair, on a couple of occasions that I haven't been wearing a sgian while kilted, I've gotten a lot of comments from people who like my "socks." One guy even failed to notice that they matched the "skirt" hanging a few inches above them, until I pointed it out. So perhaps the obsession is actually with my calves (which are not in any way impressive, kids).

Last Tartan Day, however, I think I did overhear a kid concernedly pointing out to his father that I had a knife in my sock. I only heard a few words, but I think that was what he was on about. Luckily dad ignored him, but it started me thinking what I might do if someone were to confront me.

Originally Posted by Peter Lowe

Finally I have been asked to hand it over to "security" on entering an Edinburgh Pub on a Saturday night which I was happy to do. Within two or three minutes the Manager came over and gave it back to me. I did not know whether to laugh or cry but he did apologise. Being less young can have it's advantages.

My concern there would not be in handing it over, but in the very real possibility that I might not get it back when my visit was over... mind you, most of my experience with weapon-free places has been Federal and court buildings, so that's slightly different, but I remember one court appointment when I saw that going in and through the metal detectors, if you had a pocket knife or something, they had a big cardboard box that you tossed it into. I don't think they sorted through the box on your way out to return your knife... I was very glad I'd remembered to leave my pocket knife in the car, as it's one I'm rather fond of. Anyway, I'm not sure I'd trust any sort of business establishment to bother to return it, either.

In shorter words: when in doubt, I'd leave it in the car, lest I be leaving it at the store or restaurant permanently.

**Jordan** · 11th July 13, 01:02 AM

Well guys have been known to look at a lady's leg from time to time so it it possible that they would be paying a bit more attention.

Being security myself I know that they do occasionally misplace things, so everythime I hand somthing over I ask for a ticket or somthing to make sure I get what's mine back.

**Katia** · 11th July 13, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jordan

Well guys have been known to look at a lady's leg from time to time so it it possible that they would be paying a bit more attention.

Somehow I don't think it quite works that way when the lady in question is wearing thick wool socks to her knees.

(I always say there is absolutely no sexiness factor to Highland dance whatsoever... a bunch of cross-dressing women in wool from head to toe... lol)

I would be reticent to travel with kilt too, for the same reasons as Richard. I like to travel light as well, and the kilt would sure take up a lot of room. Though I have a feeling that I would regret not bringing it once I was there.

I guess, too, with a sgian, I would be worried about the "traditional dress" caveat anyway. For me, I mean. I'm not sure if being a non-Scottish woman would garner me any sympathy on that front... It's hard to argue "tradition" when you're breaking it at every point...