Sgian Dhu Ban for Bannockburn 2014

[English Bloke]

... it ill fits an organisation that looks to support Scotland's heritage ...

... they are branding the wearers of national dress as security risks ...

... if there is evidence that kilt wearers are involved in a significant amount of knife crime. I have asked if there are statistics on this - if not where is the risk...

Peter, much as I agree with your sentiment, I don't think it's the kilt wearers that are the worry.

Having just had a crackin' Saturday out in York while kilted, but with the precaution of being sgian dubh free, I was at one point accosted by a young English chap who was not exactly sober. He was heavily tattooed, enormously over weight and sporting the Doc Marten boots, turned up jeans, white tee-shirt, braces and shaven head of a 1970's skinhead. He demanded of me

"Oiy Jock? Where's yer f***in' sock dagger?".

Had I been wearing one, I surmise I may have had to fight him for possession of it.

The issue is not that wearers of National Dress at Bannockburn 2014 might be wearing sgians, it will be the fact that items that are ostensibly knives (legal or not), could be easily lifted by unsavoury types who are not there for the fuzzy warm feeling of National pride that the event should engender.

The event is a celebration of a famous victory against the auld enemy. It is also taking place on the eve of an opportunity for those who may be of such persuasion to permanently separate themselves politically from said enemy.

It's also feasible that some in attendance may wish take it as an opportunity to unofficially re-enact the original confrontation and a 75cl bottle of Buckfast and a stolen sgian dubh can only make that objective simpler.

If you are in doubt that passions could run so high, please review this precedent from the 2006 World Cup, where in Scotland, a seven year old child and a disabled man were attacked on separate occasions. The Borders and Lothian Police described the attack on the boy as "cowardly and pathetic". I have to agree with that conclusion but it doesn't detract from the fact that a 34 year old Scotsman was so incensed by the sight of an England shirt that he thought it appropriate to beat up a child.

Imagine the outcome of this type of prejudice repeated... but with a blade or a broken wine bottle being handy.

And if knives are still not an issue, why are our coppers all wearing these nowadays?



Not having a go at you my friend. But I'm on the side of the people who have to maintain control without being heavy handed. I don't think it's a big ask for attendees to co-operate.