Sgian Dubh in the UK

[Freelancer]

I'm planning to tour Scotland and also parts of England this summer and am wondering what types of prohibitions there might be throughout the UK regarding the sgian dubh. Is it accepted as part of traditional dress or would it better be left at home? Thanks for all comments and advice.

[The Barry]

If you can't cross borders with it, sounds like a good reason/excuse to buy one!

[1MUNK3]

Definitely safer to keep it at home. They do see it has traditional dress, but at the same time there are very strick laws in place regarding edged weapons. So again, keep it at home or you might run the risk of losing it and that would be sad if it's a nice one.

[Jock Scot]

It is regarded as traditional attire here and provided it is a traditional skene dhus you should have no problem at all, legally. How you get it into the country I cannot say. There are parts of the UK where wearing the kilt or a skene dhus might not be a good idea,these places are few and you are unlikly to venture there,but it is as well to be aware.

[pdcorlis]

Jock - can you name those places without creating some hurt feelings?

[Jock Scot]

Jock - can you name those places without creating some hurt feelings?

I will PM you,tomorrow. Is that OK?

[fortcollinsjerry]

I'm sure I'd pack mine in checked baggage during the flight. There are also a couple of alternatives to the blade too. The Gent who makes damascas blades at Loch Ness also makes a beer bottle opener that rides in the hose sheath and you can buy a item that is just a handle fixed to a piece of wood that looks like a Sgian Dubh in the hose.

[Jock Scot]

I have started a "hare running" and I cannot in conscience leave you all hanging there wondering what I am talking about. If Freelancer could tell me where he is going to go in the UK I will try to guide him.

Generally speaking If you are going out on the town in the evening,particularly if alcohol is about, then leave you skene at your hotel. In Scotland as a kilt wearing visitor you could well be a target for some robust "leg pulling" in the pub during the evenings. In England robust "leg pulling " is not unknown in places. The UK is a courteous place and you should have no bother from officialdom or residents apart from when high spirits and alcohol get together. You should be aware that knife crime is rife in certain parts of the UK and there is a Zero tolerance to knives inappropriately carried, or, god forbid used. As I have already said in my other post, carrying your skene as traditional attire is legal and I have not had one incident in nearly 70 years.

[McClef]

I have never had a problem with a sgian in the UK nor the Irish Republic either nor I am aware of instances where it has been used as a weapon in a violent situation.

It wouldn't be a problem flying in your hold baggage and customs could hardly refuse it entry when it is so freely available for sale over here.

It's not necessary to wear one when casually dressed though and superfluous if one is wearing scrunched down hose.

[pdcorlis]

I will PM you,tomorrow. Is that OK?

Thank you Jock!