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.

[BCAC]

Well said, John! For some reason I have no "aye" button this morning so + 1 anyway!

[English Bloke]

Post withdrawn by EB.

[Peter Lowe]

[QUOTE=English Bloke;1184762]Peter, much as I agree with your sentiment, I don't think it's the kilt wearers that are the worry.

The point is that carrying knives is illegal and the authorities can confiscate them (and if necessary arrest you) UNLESS you are, in this instance, wearing Highland Dress when a Sgian Dubh is legal. Hence my comment abour kilt wearers being branded as security risks.

As you and others have pointed out objects that are not banned can easily be turned into nasty weapons so where is the safety in that?

The authorities profile people and I would suggest that the the profile of a kilt wearer is low risk and law abiding. They certainly are way lower risk than a drunk in charge of an empty 500ml bottle.

A simple request not to wear a Sgian Dubh would solve the problem in the case of a very high proportion of kilt wearers thus making this very low risk.

Finally if the ban on sharp objects extends to kilt pins then they really are demeaning us!

Peter

[English Bloke]

Fair enough...

By the way, as far as I can ascertain, kilt pins aren't banned. The only internet reference I can find for the suggestion is from within this thread.

[Walter82]

Fair enough...

By the way, as far as I can ascertain, kilt pins aren't banned. The only internet reference I can find for the suggestion is from within this thread.

I understand the sentiment and like many here don't usually wear one when it might become an issue, sticking to private events indoors. That's a choice I make. As for kilt pins which are deemed sharp objects for air travel it's clear they fall within the organizers definition:
" and any sharp objects are not permitted into the event arena. "

[okiwen]

Post #25 English Bloke,

That is a "bulletproof" vest. It does Not stop a blade...at all. It is designed to slow down a blunt object. Coppers are wearing them because the world is filled with nuts and predators, NOT because the world is filled with Scots.

This is a knee-jerk reaction to a non-problem. I do this for a living and this has been my observation from 17 years of playing the game.

[Downunder Kilt]

Post #25 English Bloke,

That is a "bulletproof" vest. It does Not stop a blade...at all. It is designed to slow down a blunt object. Coppers are wearing them because the world is filled with nuts and predators, NOT because the world is filled with Scots.

This is a knee-jerk reaction to a non-problem. I do this for a living and this has been my observation from 17 years of playing the game.

I think you will find that the British Police on the beat are issued with stab vests rather than bulletproof vests and have been for a number of years

[Jock Scot]

Certainly our Bobbies call them "Stab Vests", for good reason no doubt.

[mookien]

... Unless there's a change of heart it looks like our visitors will need to leave their sgian-dhus at home.

I guess that throws cold water on my plans to litter the field with caltrops in order to lend an air of authenticity to the re-enactment.

But, I like flyrod's idea about "sgian brews". We should all buy a few from Rocky and hand them out at the festivities.