Taking my knives to UK

**The Q** · 25th May 17, 02:58 AM

You can wear a Sgian Dubh anywhere in the UK in public when wearing full highland dress, there is a specific law that allows this. (blade length max 3.5 inches).
However owners of any property, can choose to not allow you in Wearing a sgian Dubh. Down the Pub in a rough area it would get you thrown out and you'd still likely to be still arrested for carrying an offensive weapon. Some pubs / hotels / entertainment facilities just have a blanket ban on any knives.

You can carry blades larger than this providing you have justification in the polices eyes, and their eyes can be quite fickle.
An offensive weapon is ANYTHING, THEY decide is an offensive weapon, yes the courts make the final decision but do you want that hassle?

Reenactors often carry bayonets swords etc to and from events, but they are in a secure case, in the boot of a car or luggage space of a bus.

Then you have the problem of Bringing into the country I suggest you read this https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-c...ensive-weapons

If you can get the Dirk through customs, you could probably wear it at the Church, and at the reception no Problem. But it just needs one idiot member of the public at any point to Phone 999 in a panic that someone had a big knife and the world would descend on your head.
The police tasered an old man with a fold up walking stick not long ago because someone decided it looked like a shotgun...

Personally I'd leave the Dirk at home.

**Jock Scot** · 25th May 17, 03:25 AM

Q is quite right there are specific exemptions within the UK law for carrying knives(SD's) that are in keeping when wearing national attire. What the Customs Officers may do and think about the dirk is beyond my ken.

Just so you know, unless you are a piper where the dirk may be a part of the uniform, but in normal circumstances the general kilted public in Scotland, including at weddings, formal or not, then the dirk is not worn. Many, most even, here would consider doing so as very odd, regardless of what the UK law might or might not say on that specific matter. I fully agree with Q that it might be best to leave the dirk at home as it might be more trouble than its worth.

**McMurdo** · 25th May 17, 06:06 AM

I'd simply borrow a sgian while there or perhaps purchase one while over and pack it away in your luggage, not carry on for the trip back. Having been lucky enough to have an heirloom quality sgian dubh I would be reticent to travel outside the country with it for fear of it being confiscated and not returned. As for the dirk I would give it a pass.

**Farmer Jones** · 25th May 17, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Q is quite right there are specific exemptions within the UK law for carrying knives(SD's) that are in keeping when wearing national attire. What the Customs Officers may do and think about the dirk is beyond my ken.

Just so you know, unless you are a piper where the dirk may be a part of the uniform, but in normal circumstances the general kilted public in Scotland, including at weddings, formal or not, then the dirk is not worn. Many, most even, here would consider doing so as very odd, regardless of what the UK law might or might not say on that specific matter. I fully agree with Q that it might be best to leave the dirk at home as it might be more trouble than its worth.

We are a little behind the times in my part of Canada.

**Jock Scot** · 25th May 17, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

We are a little behind the times in my part of Canada.

You must be! Its been the way that I describe above over here for some 70+ years that I know of!

**Father Bill** · 25th May 17, 08:58 AM

Since neither dirks nor sghians are a "required" part of highland dress, frankly, I'd leave them at home. Nobody will notice and you won't have the hassle or worry.

**Dileasgubas** · 25th May 17, 11:10 AM

To my knowledge, there are no restrictions on carrying knives in your checked luggage. I once brought a 3-foot cheese knife back from Europe and did not have any issues with Customs.

Things can go missing from checked luggage, however, and for that reason, I would leave my sgian at home.

Besides, it might be a good excuse to do some shopping while abroad...

**lewtherin** · 27th May 17, 01:50 PM

I just come back from the UK a couple of weeks ago. Ireland, Scotland and England. I didn't realize that there was so much fuss made over knives, When I was at Edinburgh Castle, I seen several men wearing sgians and dirks and I thought they really looked cool with the outfits. Here in Missouri, I have always hunted and did alot of clay pigeon shooting, so I hadn't give it much thought. And I like many, many Americans own and carry pistols. I have transported guns via airplanes many times, but there are proper ways to do this and they much be in checked luggage. But I also noticed that the police officers in the UK were not armed also. I was really surprised by this, but different countries, different customs. In this case, if I were wanting to do this, I would definitely check with the host country before I did anything. Some good advise was given here. But what about fake replica dirks and sgians to rent there. Just a thought

**Michael A** · 25th June 17, 05:57 AM

What about a bottle opener - a sgian brew?

**Randy McIntosh** · 25th May 17, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

We are a little behind the times in my part of Canada.

Well in the rest of Canada then, usually only military pipers wear a dirk.

I'm heading across this summer myself to Scotland and will be kilted part of the time but I'm leaning on leaving my SD at home with the present conditions in the UK...not sure how the Police would take it with todays climate. I'm thinking of playing it safe.