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

[KiltFitz]

Indeed, which, as in my original post, is why I only wear an SD at private functions. Discretion is the better part of valour.

Dear me, let's clarify. Real or fake, it's not an offence. The police are not likely to be called, even if you showed it to someone. If in the unlikely event they accosted you, it would be quickly and pleasantly dealt with.

Now, brandish or wave it in a threatening or reckless manner and it would be different. But if if you brandish or wave a bottle of ketchup, a traffic cone or your underwear in the same way then there will be just the same chance of talking to Police Scotland or some other altercation. Treat it as a part of your attire, even use it functionally (I have opened letters, cut cakes, even fixed sunglasses with mine) and there is little chance of alarm.

Kilts are not such an uncommon site in Scotland and when presented with the spectacle of a man in a kilt walking down the street or standing in a pub most people do not assume that this is some demented tourist, although I have read many assertions to the contrary on this forum. Highland wear is an uncommon sight in particular areas of particular cities in Scotland. Which is fine, people are entitled to their own culture, but I know a good many of these areas and there are few museums or concert halls or 5 star hotels located nearby.

Where is this panic about a man holding a knife supposed to come from? Unless I'm in a chinese restaurant, I have a knife in my hand for just about every meal. In fact, the waiter often brings me different types depending on what course I am eating. If it's steak, he'll even make sure it's serrated!

Contrary to some misconceptions, Scottish people do know what a sgian dubh is - Most of us have been invited to at least one wedding in our lifetime. They also know what it is when they see it sticking out of kilt hose and manage not to run screaming from the room, dialling 999 on their phones.

[creagdhubh]

I always have a sgian dubh tucked into my hose whilst kilted in Scotland and have never had any issues. Then again, the majority of my time spent in Scotland is in rural parts of the Highlands.

[Peter Lowe]

Dear me, let's clarify. Real or fake, it's not an offence. The police are not likely to be called, even if you showed it to someone. If in the unlikely event they accosted you, it would be quickly and pleasantly dealt with.

Now, brandish or wave it in a threatening or reckless manner and it would be different. But if if you brandish or wave a bottle of ketchup, a traffic cone or your underwear in the same way then there will be just the same chance of talking to Police Scotland or some other altercation. Treat it as a part of your attire, even use it functionally (I have opened letters, cut cakes, even fixed sunglasses with mine) and there is little chance of alarm.

Kilts are not such an uncommon site in Scotland and when presented with the spectacle of a man in a kilt walking down the street or standing in a pub most people do not assume that this is some demented tourist, although I have read many assertions to the contrary on this forum. Highland wear is an uncommon sight in particular areas of particular cities in Scotland. Which is fine, people are entitled to their own culture, but I know a good many of these areas and there are few museums or concert halls or 5 star hotels located nearby.

Where is this panic about a man holding a knife supposed to come from? Unless I'm in a chinese restaurant, I have a knife in my hand for just about every meal. In fact, the waiter often brings me different types depending on what course I am eating. If it's steak, he'll even make sure it's serrated!

Contrary to some misconceptions, Scottish people do know what a sgian dubh is - Most of us have been invited to at least one wedding in our lifetime. They also know what it is when they see it sticking out of kilt hose and manage not to run screaming from the room, dialling 999 on their phones.

In post #4 Grizzly quoted the necessary Law which makes it clear that in the UK wearing a Sgian Dubh as part of highland dress is perfectly legal.
I have had this confirmed in writing by Lothians and Borders Police always providing that it remains inside your hose and/or your actions could not be construed as threatening.
In another post I comment on the comfort of wearing the kilt. If you are in any way uncomfortable while wearing a Sgian Dubh dont wear one but, please, be aware it is not illegal to do so in the UK.
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.

[creagdhubh]

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.

I had precisely the same exact thing happen to me at a pub in Edinburgh, just after attending the Tattoo. The whole exchange was very pleasant and accommodating.

[Katia]

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.

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]

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.

[MacThomas]

I agree with the general consensus here, best to leave your SD at home. When I lived in the UK, I only ever wore
one of the Scottish shops in London carried facsimile SDs that were just the handle and scabbard - no blade, joined as one unit. Fake but only you would know! I can't remember which shop and I didn't buy one.

I hired an "imitation" one in London at Highlandstore for the Caledonian ball.

[OC Richard]

My question is "why bother?" One less thing to pack!

For many years I always wore one. As someone said above it's the part of the kit that's most noticed and commented upon by the public. I would be hired to pipe at elementary schools and the kids were interested in the sgian more than the pipes!

But now our schools have a "zero tolerance" policy and I leave the sgian at home, whether I'm playing at an elementary school or college or for that matter any public place. I rarely wear a sgian at all nowadays.

And as for travelling in Britain, not only would I leave the sgian at home, but the kilt too! For one, it takes up too much valuable space. I'm a notoriously light traveler and I bring a single carryon, even for a two week holiday. I don't check baggage, not after what happened. And second, the last thing I want to do is look even more like an American Tourist than I already do!

[MacThomas]

BTW I love the look with a sgian (I feel something is missing without)!...

[KiltFitz]

I wouldn't recommend wearing anything that would make you feel uncomfortable SD, kilt or whatever.

My intention here has been to reassure any visitors who would like to wear one that it is not in any way likely to cause a problem if worn with the kilt and in fact, we have legislated for just such circumstances - there are exceptions however, as there would be to any rule but those exceptions, for the most part, tend not to affect tourists or visitors.

As I've said, I don't wear mine every time I don my kilt but when dressing "properly", I consider it a necessary part of my attire. My sgian dubh was quite expensive (I think) and given to me by close friends for my 30th birthday. It has a personal message from them inscribed on the blade. It is therefore a mark of my respect for them that I wear it as they would wish me to. On the rare occasions when I am asked to show the blade (I would not show it to a child, regardless of their curiosity), I do so only to show the inscription from my friends although I will admit it has alo come in handy as a simple tool at opportune moments.

As for packing, if I am taking carry on luggage, then I also have a dummy SD which has passed through security without comment. I always travel in my kilt, it is practical and fun and makes for a great icebreaker at the other end.