Quote Originally Posted by beloitpiper View Post
One thing I've noticed at Scottish events--why is it there's always that one guy who brings a big claymore just to carry around in a very serious manner? It happens at all the Highland Games, Burns Suppers, and Tartan Days that I attend, and it looks kinda silly. Are the Wisconsin events the only place that this happens, or do other places have these guys too?

If I'm just goin' crazy let me know, but sometimes it feels like these guys are just looking for any excuse to carry around a big sword in front of them--as if the English will storm the banquet hall!
Those Highland Two-hander swords are popular everywhere (particularly thanks to Braveheart). Usually, I'll see someone in a poorly made great kilt or some non-wool kilt worn too low carrying around a smaller Pakistani made version. Usually, it's a younger person who's obviously not seen a lot on it and believes everything about the kilt he's ever heard.

Then there are the better dressed types who might be wearing period highland attire or are at least going for the rustic look carrying around this huge broadsword for no other reason than to show it off. I don't really get it either... The Highlanders were known for going about contantly armed, but that is in a time past. I don't mind the weaponry for parades or at Ren Faires but just walking about at a modern festival, unless you're a re-enactor or planning on giving demonstrations or history of the weapon, it's kind of over-the-top and a little weird.