Sgian/Pride

**beloitpiper** · 20th November 06, 10:31 PM

Today, just like any other time I wear my kilt, I wore my sgian dubh. My college has a "no weapons" policy that I wholeheartedly agree with, but I don't think of my sgian dubh as a weapon. But anyways, soebody asked me why I wear it. I told him because it is traditional, a sign of friendship. He seemed confused, so I explained it to him: one would always carry a knife with him, and when among friends would keep it visable as a sign of frienship. He still didn't seem to understand why I felt like I had to carry a knife with me, and I finally told him to think of it as a piece of jewelry.

Then he asked why I wear my kilt at all. "Well that's a dumb question" I thought. I told him because I am tremdiously proud of my heritage and I like to wear them. He then said I wasn't Scottish at all, and asked me when my last ancestor was born in Scotland. I told him that Amos Laing was born outside of Aberdeen in 1804, but that's besides the point. I have Scottish blood though both sides of my family, and I feel a great connection to my Celtic ethnicity. He said that because it has been more than 200 years since anybody in my family was born in Scotland means that I'm more American than Scottish.

True, I replied, but that doesn't change the fact that I am Celtic by blood. You may be Anglo-Saxon, by my heritage is Celtic, and a strong one at that. I politely asked him to allow me to wear the clothes that I so choose and that in return, I'll let him express himself however he sees fit.

I love being Scottish, and despite the fact that my family has been in America since 1862, sometimes I feel like bursting with pride when I wear my kilt, or play my pipes, or taste a fine Scotch, or hear the gorgeous accent.

If this post was off-topic, I apologize, but I just wanted to say that.

**macwilkin** · 21st November 06, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

Today, just like any other time I wear my kilt, I wore my sgian dubh. My college has a "no weapons" policy that I wholeheartedly agree with, but I don't think of my sgian dubh as a weapon. But anyways, soebody asked me why I wear it. I told him because it is traditional, a sign of friendship. He seemed confused, so I explained it to him: one would always carry a knife with him, and when among friends would keep it visable as a sign of frienship. He still didn't seem to understand why I felt like I had to carry a knife with me, and I finally told him to think of it as a piece of jewelry.

Then he asked why I wear my kilt at all. "Well that's a dumb question" I thought. I told him because I am tremdiously proud of my heritage and I like to wear them. He then said I wasn't Scottish at all, and asked me when my last ancestor was born in Scotland. I told him that Amos Laing was born outside of Aberdeen in 1804, but that's besides the point. I have Scottish blood though both sides of my family, and I feel a great connection to my Celtic ethnicity. He said that because it has been more than 200 years since anybody in my family was born in Scotland means that I'm more American than Scottish.

True, I replied, but that doesn't change the fact that I am Celtic by blood. You may be Anglo-Saxon, by my heritage is Celtic, and a strong one at that. I politely asked him to allow me to wear the clothes that I so choose and that in return, I'll let him express himself however he sees fit.

I love being Scottish, and despite the fact that my family has been in America since 1862, sometimes I feel like bursting with pride when I wear my kilt, or play my pipes, or taste a fine Scotch, or hear the gorgeous accent.

If this post was off-topic, I apologize, but I just wanted to say that.

Sounds like a conversation that Lord MacDonald, the Chief of the Clan Donald, had with a fellow Scot at a clan gathering a number of years ago. The Scot was complaining to Lord MacDonald about all of the Yanks, Aussies and Canucks wearing kilts at the gathering. Lord MacDonald replied:

"The blood is strong -- do you really expect more than 200 years and 2000 miles can destroy that?”

Tell him that story.

Cheers,

Todd

**Dirk Skene** · 21st November 06, 06:52 AM

Of course if it is ever a problem you can get a sgain brew. The handle that sticks out looks like the knife, but it is a bottle opener.

int:

**Julie** · 21st November 06, 07:25 AM

Its great to read that you are tremendously proud of your ancestry and Scottish heritage especially so when you wear your kilt.

I believe that we are fortunate in having the best national dress in the world, one that allows people at a glance to know where you come from and what is your heritage and ancestry.

This is especially so for residents from the UK who share a similar passport with their English neighbours, wearing our national dress immediately lets people know that we are not English. On many occassions abroad like watching our national soccer team, I have been grateful that the kilt shows our nationality as our southern neighbours unfortunately shame England with their aggressive conduct.

Like you I am very proud to wear the kilt and never more so when at an event abroad where our recognised national anthem is played ( Flower of Scotland)

I admire guys like you who are so proud of Scotland and what it stands for, my only regret is that unlike you I have no musical talent whatsoever as I would love to play the bagpipes, I envy you here.

Wha's like us,

Julian

**Schultz** · 21st November 06, 07:34 AM

He said that because it has been more than 200 years since anybody in my family was born in Scotland means that I'm more American than Scottish.

If this is the case, then since you're "just" an American, a native of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, you're "free" to wear whatever you want and are "brave" enough to do so.

That usually shuts these types of arguments down, at least with me.

As for the sgian dubh, I generally don't wear mine in the hose at all except at formal functions.

I might have it elsewhere on my person, though...

**Bill** · 21st November 06, 08:39 AM

Excellent reply! My people have been here since the 18th century and possibly the 17th but the blood is still there and I'm still proud of my ancestry. Ye can tak the Scot oot of Scotland but ye cannae tak Scotland oot o' the Scot!

Understandably I think some have gotten paranoid about "weapons" and sometimes let it get the better of them, when questioned about the sgain dubh I cheerfully explain the meanig of it as you did, sometimes they get it sometimes they don't. I do tend to be careful about where I wear it, for instance I'm not quite comfortable wearing the sgain dubh to church.

Slainte'

Bill

**Panache** · 21st November 06, 08:49 AM

I thought your response was polite and appropriate.

However you wrote:

My college has a "no weapons" policy that I wholeheartedly agree with, but I don't think of my sgian dubh as a weapon. But anyways, soebody asked me why I wear it. I told him because it is traditional, a sign of friendship.

You wear the sgian dubh out of respect for your heritage. Out of respect to your school I recommend getting a false sgian dubh (or a sgian brew, or a sgian don't.) Then you can honor both heritage and your school policy.

I find that there are many occassions where wearing a comb or bottle cap openner is more respectful of the law/rules while allowing me a traditional look. Unless you draw your blade on a regular basis. No one will ever know. Unless they ask, and then you can set their minds at ease.

Cheers

**Caradoc** · 21st November 06, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Schultz

As for the sgian dubh, I generally don't wear mine in the hose at all except at formal functions.

I might have it elsewhere on my person, though...

Same here. Except that there's no "might" about it.

In any circumstance that I can legally carry a blade, I do. Usually that'd be my Gerber Multi-lock.

As to beloitpiper's original post, I'm aware that some people consider their sgian to be equivalent to "jewelry." I don't.

Therefore, when I've done presentations and the like on school grounds, I always ask permission to bring the sharp toys, and if that's denied I ask if I might bring them if they're "peace-bonded." That means they're tied into their sheaths or scabbards in such a fashion that it takes a bit of doing to get them out again.

That's hard to do with a sgian dubh. If you absolutely must have something in your sock, and you can't carry a knife for legal reasons, why not a sgian brew or a comb, as some have mentioned?

**Riverkilt** · 21st November 06, 09:07 AM

Ya done well lad,

Many's the man who's surprised they can choose their garments from more than what their local habadasher offers.

Ron

**beloitpiper** · 21st November 06, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

I thought your response was polite and appropriate.

However you wrote:

My college has a "no weapons" policy that I wholeheartedly agree with, but I don't think of my sgian dubh as a weapon. But anyways, soebody asked me why I wear it. I told him because it is traditional, a sign of friendship.

You wear the sgian dubh out of respect for your heritage. Out of respect to your school I recommend getting a false sgian dubh (or a sgian brew, or a sgian don't.) Then you can honor both heritage and your school policy.

I find that there are many occassion s where wearing a comb or bottle cap openner is more respectful of the law/rules while allowing me a traditional look. Unless you draw your blade on a regular basis. No one will ever know. Unless they ask, and then you can set their minds at ease.

Cheers

I've worn my kilt 2-3 times a week since August, everytime with a sgian dubh. If they don't approve of it, I'm sure somebody would've let me know.

And to the rest of you: I'm hoping to get a sgian brew for Christmas. I've always wanted one, but haven't had the money to get a real nice one (i.e. one of Rab Gordon's). I'm pretty sure it would be more useful than the sgain dubh...especially in college!!!