Sqain dubhs at the Tattoo

[ctbuchanan]

I'll be participating in the Edinburgh Tattoo this August with the Clan Buchanan as part of the 'Splash of Tartan' theme.
We have received several emails with instructions from the Brigadier.

There have been many discussions on this forum about wearing weapons including sgian dubhs, over in Scotland. I thought that the official stance of the Tattoo was interesting and certainly understandable.

8. Weapons. There will be no weapons unless you have already made a special arrangements with The Tattoo. There are definitely no sgian dubhs.

[Taskr]

The tradition of the SD being what it is, and the public environment generally being intolerant of blades of any type, do we keep the look of the SD for the sake of traditional appearance by having a blank in place of the blade? I'm considering this beyond those who choose to wear SBrews and such. Thinking more about a band making the decision for all to wear a bladeless SD to maintain a traditional look. Maybe they do already?

[Jock Scot]

That does not surprise me. Better safe than sorry from the Brigadier's point of view, who is taking the view that any reduction of sharp pointy things swanning around in the crowd will assist his blood pressure more than somewhat. Remember too that the UK has had a couple of very recent terrorist events involving knives ending in deaths of the innocent. Also remember, that the Tattoo is held in the centre of the City of Edinburgh, where people and alcohol are there in abundance at the peak of the tourist season. A sad but wise decision in my view.

[48HofC]

I find it kinda funny because I did the tattoo once with the South African police Zulu dancers and they had 7 foot spears....times they are a changing....

[The Q]

I find it kinda funny because I did the tattoo once with the South African police Zulu dancers and they had 7 foot spears....times they are a changing....

When you see the troops marching down the royal mile with fixed bayonets, and they have to have a private security guard at the front and back of each section you realise how much things have changed!!!

[OC Richard]

Well I just looked at some photos of the 2016 Tattoo and there was a sgian in every sock, and dozens of swords and dirks too.

[Panache]

Well I just looked at some photos of the 2016 Tattoo and there was a sgian in every sock, and dozens of swords and dirks too.

Well, Richard

That is just so 2016...

Cheers

Jamie

[macmanjim]

That does not surprise me. Better safe than sorry from the Brigadier's point of view, who is taking the view that any reduction of sharp pointy things swanning around in the crowd will assist his blood pressure more than somewhat. Remember too that the UK has had a couple of very recent terrorist events involving knives ending in deaths of the innocent. Also remember, that the Tattoo is held in the centre of the City of Edinburgh, where people and alcohol are there in abundance at the peak of the tourist season. A sad but wise decision in my view.

Yeah, there are a lot of kilted terrorists running around. Reminds me of the TSA pulling 90 year old grandmas out for an extended check.

[kingandrew]

While I agree with Jock's comments about how the authorities are on edge (no pun intended) due to several fatal knife attacks by ISIS sympathizers, it does seem like clan members at the Tattoo would fall into a different category.

I imagine some sort of compromise has been worked out to accommodate Sikhs who are required to carry a "sword" (really more of a long knife) as part of their religion. Perhaps a similar cultural exception could be made for Highlanders with sgian dubh (and Zulu dancers with 7-foot spears).

And, as noted, one can always go with a sgian brew or sgian don't (fake knife).

It is also quite possible that the organizers for other clans may have issued different guidelines.

In the USA, I always carried a sgian when I was kilted, and I wore a dirk for formal occasions. But when I moved to China, I figured it was not worth the hassle of trying to get a blade through airport customs. So I have not worn either in several years.

And if you think the authorities are touch on knives in Scotland, you might be shocked when you visit Beijing. Here I need to present a passport in order to purchase a typical dinner knife for the table, let alone a chef's knife or something designed for actual use as a weapon. Access to any sort of fighting accessories is carefully controlled here. On the bright side, it is safe to walk alone on the street at any time of the day or night, so public safety is very good. I don't know how much limiting access to butter knives contributes to this safety, however.

BTW, I find it humorous the way the auto-correct on this site keeps turning "sgain dubh" into "skin duh" or "again duh." The wonders of technology

Andrew

[macmanjim]

While I agree with Jock's comments about how the authorities are on edge (no pun intended) due to several fatal knife attacks by ISIS sympathizers, it does seem like clan members at the Tattoo would fall into a different category.

I imagine some sort of compromise has been worked out to accommodate Sikhs who are required to carry a "sword" (really more of a long knife) as part of their religion. Perhaps a similar cultural exception could be made for Highlanders with sgian dubh (and Zulu dancers with 7-foot spears).

And, as noted, one can always go with a sgian brew or sgian don't (fake knife).

It is also quite possible that the organizers for other clans may have issued different guidelines.

In the USA, I always carried a sgian when I was kilted, and I wore a dirk for formal occasions. But when I moved to China, I figured it was not worth the hassle of trying to get a blade through airport customs. So I have not worn either in several years.

And if you think the authorities are touch on knives in Scotland, you might be shocked when you visit Beijing. Here I need to present a passport in order to purchase a typical dinner knife for the table, let alone a chef's knife or something designed for actual use as a weapon. Access to any sort of fighting accessories is carefully controlled here. On the bright side, it is safe to walk alone on the street at any time of the day or night, so public safety is very good. I don't know how much limiting access to butter knives contributes to this safety, however.

BTW, I find it humorous the way the auto-correct on this site keeps turning "sgain dubh" into "skin duh" or "again duh." The wonders of technology

Andrew

Even in the US is varies. Where I live now, the weapons laws are pretty liberal, meaning there are few restrictions, but where I am from, NY, there are many. Because I've heard of extended searches for the kilted at the airport in my area, I skip the exercise of wearing a kilt if I travel by air, which generally is to go back east. Other places I drive or ride my motorcycle. I am not sure I'd want to live somewhere that the government doesn't trust their citizens. Maybe it's safer, but it's more control over the individual than I care for. I don't blame people for wanting to come here. I would too.