Wearing a basket-hilt claymore with kilt...

[Panache]

I personally don't care whether they "normally" carried them or not. Even if they only carried them for high ceremonial purposes, I still want to make sure I understand HOW they carried them when they did.

The thing is though, there is a big difference between something carried or held for a photo/portrait or a ceremony and something you carry about in a more normal-everyday sort of fashion. I know what you are trying to get to and respect that you want to learn what is the correct way to carry a sword. I am just pointing out that there is a difference between these photos/portraits we have been looking at and the more practical ways these weapons were carried in the field when they were part of a soldiers/officers kit. I'm pretty sure that the wearing of practical civilian swords as part of a gentleman's regular attire faded in the 1700's in the British Isles (giving rise to canes and sword sticks) which predates the surge in highland fashion brought on by Queen Victoria and her love of all things Scottish.

Cheers

Jamie

[Glenn Adrian]

Well of course there was no civilian sword wearing in Scotland for a few decades after that 1746 incident. Up until James unified both crowns (1602?) there was constant boarder raiding along and across boarders. Swords and wheel-lock pistols were regular wear in the boarders. Townsfolk where in pike militias. Members of the boarder families probably also had spear, musket or bow/crossbow, shield, maybe a axe or other weapon, as well as a boarder horse. In the highlands drovers were always armed when looking after cattle, raids where well known. Inter clan warfare was common throughout Scottish history. Swords were extremely practical, and most highlanders would have been pretty good. As I have stated earlier the highland broadsword taught today has benefited from being one of the last practical broadsword systems left in the world. It was preserved in the highland regiments. So they have benefited from all the developments of single sword, rapier and sabre over the centuries. It is a advanced system for duelling, battle with sword or sword and shield, and sword and shield vs spear/musket. These where not decorations, they were life or death for the highland clans, borderers and Officers and NCO's of the Scottish regiments. After the ending of the prohibition I would guess it was ceremonial use by lords, a form of finery for portraits.