Over the years there have been a number of threads about carrying a sgian dubh and whether or not it is legal, offensive etc. Well, according to the Royal Regiment of Scotland, “The sgian dubh (Gaelic for black knife) is not a weapon” (Regs, p 60).

So there we have it! The British government has made a ruling! (Or as close as you could get. H.M. The Queen is Colonel in Chief of the Regiment, and presumably through Her government, through the military establishment, through their web site, the Queen concurs!)

The implications of this might be small. Dissenters in Scotland may no want an official statement by the British government that their sgian dubhs are not weapons. Those of us in the States might now care less what the British government says or does not say. But at least, if ever you are questioned for carrying a weapon in your hose you can reply, “Actually, according to the British government, the sgian dubh is not a weapon.”

Those who are more meticulous might want to print out p. 60 of the Regs and carry it folded in the top of the left hose, ready to produce the evidence at a moment’s notice.

We have looked at the Regs before, but for those who haven’t here is the link, with lots of good photos.

Incidentally, after six years of kilt wearing I bought my first sgian in Scotland this summer. I search around for one and got this for £20.00. (In a number of stores it was $46.50) Prevenance, probably not Scotland, but a nice addition nonetheless. Sorry for the grainy pics. I took them on my iPhone.