Taking my knives to UK

**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?

**Farmer Jones** · 25th June 17, 08:43 AM

Curiously enough, since I started to investigate what I may or may not take to the UK with me, I have discovered that my seal skin sporran is not OK there and that it could potentially be seized at the whim of customs officers.

**48HofC** · 25th June 17, 09:57 AM

Whenever we go to the UK, we have to register any ivory mounted pipes, leopard skins, eagle feathers,etc with the Canadian government to get proper clearance documents. Never had a single problem with UK customs as long as documents were in order. A sealskin sporran should fall into the same category. As a side note, how are your crops doing?

**Jack Daw** · 2nd November 17, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by Michael A

What about a bottle opener - a sgian brew?

This is my preference, too, as I only want to terrorize beer bottles.

**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.