Tartan week in NYC

**RGM1** · 8th January 25, 06:41 PM

I am planning to attend Tartan day in NYC for the parade and am seeking insights on how to best enjoy the experience. I plan to be fully kilted and make a day trip of it via Amtrak. My clan Association, Murray clan society of North America, reports that the Murray of Atholl pipers are going to be presence as part of their North America tour. As a side note, should I be concerned about wearing a sgian Dubh on the train?

**Father Bill** · 8th January 25, 07:07 PM

A sghian is not a necessary part of Highland wear. If you have to ask then the answer is to leave it at home regardless, or invest in a sghian brew. Even then, you could be stopped and checked, so frankly, I'd do without it.

**Touchstone** · 9th January 25, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

A sghian is not a necessary part of Highland wear. If you have to ask then the answer is to leave it at home regardless, or invest in a sghian brew. Even then, you could be stopped and checked, so frankly, I'd do without it.

Yes, I'm sure the NYC police will not be happy about all the blades that will be there. I'd be inclined not to add to their problems.

**TheVintageLibertine** · 12th January 25, 05:00 PM

I don’t know about New York State or City, but there are definitely jurisdictions in the U.S. where wearing a sgian dubh in your hose is not allowed. The advice above to forgo if you have to ask is very good.

**Touchstone** · 12th January 25, 05:31 PM

To respond to your actual question - assuming you're talking Amtrak, here's their luggage policy:

Sharp objects, including but not limited to axes, ice picks, knives, spears, and swords: carry-on "no"; checked, "no"
With these exceptions:
Scissors, nail clippers, corkscrews, and razors are allowed in carry-on baggage.
Sheathed equipment, to include fencing equipment, are allowed in checked baggage.

So you could probably get away with it in a checked bag.

https://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-items

**TheVintageLibertine** · 12th January 25, 06:38 PM

RGM1, I suggest also reviewing this official FAQ posted by the City of New York:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/...or%20concealed.

**AFS1970** · 12th January 25, 09:00 PM

Living not too far north of NYC, and frequently attending Tartan Week events, I can assure you that NYPD pays little to no attention to sgian dhus. I have worn my kilt on the Metro North commuter trains many times with my sgian dhu and on a few rare occasions a dirk and have never been stopped or questioned. I have even walked through a couple of transit check points and one at a national park (Ellis Island) and been waved through the metal detector. Considering the sheer number of service-oriented pipe bands in NYC, most cops are well aware of all the accessories and understand, especially on parade days, that you are not a threat. I have never traveled on Amtrak kilted, but outside of Penn Station itself, you are unlikely to encounter an Amtrak police officer on a train.

**Jock Scot** · 13th January 25, 04:59 AM

Why make life complicated? Leave the SD at home, it really is no big deal.

**RGM1** · 13th January 25, 05:11 AM

Happy to leave my sgian dubh home, my bigger question is how best to experience the event.

**AFS1970** · 15th January 25, 08:07 PM

The parade on Saturday is the star of the show, but there are quite a few events throughout the week. There is an official after party that goes fairly late into the evening, but I have gone to various pubs in the area of the parade route and generally found others that were there for the same festivities.