Thank you all for your councel, I have made an executive decision. I have incorporated all your feedback and ended up with this:
I have gone with custom made by James Young at Comrie.
It is African Blackwood with bogwood trim and has a silver end cap and celtic cross inset into the handle, and if that doesn't sound grand enough, the blade is damascus steel. Suprisingly, I got this for the same prioce I was originally going to spend. Pics to follow
Many thanks to all