Sgian Dhu Ban for Bannockburn 2014

**English Bloke** · 30th July 13, 05:01 AM

Best leave those at home as well then.

**OC Richard** · 30th July 13, 05:10 AM

I tend to not wear a sgian anyhow (one less thing to put on) nor a kilt pin (two less things to put on, and I don't like to stab holes in my kilts) so these sorts of bans don't have any effect on my kiltwearing.

Thing is, around here, so many of the places I'm hired to pipe have "zero tolerance" weapons bans, so why run the risk of an issue? I don't have any devotion to my sgian, no separation anxiety when I leave it at home.

About wearing things that look like a sgian in the sock, but aren't, I have no interest in such things, because I can potentially get hasseled for one of those just as easily (by law enforcement who think it's a knife). Why bother? I have a bottle-opener on my keyring.

But yes it is silly to ban sgians when you have Neds who can make a weapon out of anything.

**creagdhubh** · 30th July 13, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

It seems what a lot of folks are out of kilter with here is, that this is a ticketed event, much like going to the football, cricket, baseball, nightclub, whatever and the organisers have the right to put certain conditions upon entry to the event. It does not matter if something is allowd by law, if the organisers don't want to allow it, they are quite entitled to blackball it. Sure it might be silly, but just like a multitude of other venues around the world, if you don't want to abide by the conditions of entry, then don't attend.

Right you are!

**thescot** · 30th July 13, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

The police have made it quite clear in the article that when carried with Scots National attire, then a SD is entirely legal(certainly in Scotland and I think, in the whole of the UK). . . . I would have thought though, that those who are organising the event would have had far more important matters to consider.

Oh, Jock, there you go forgetting the policital correctness and posturing ALWAYS trump everything else!

oop:

**Jock Scot** · 30th July 13, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

Oh, Jock, there you go forgetting the policital correctness and posturing ALWAYS trump everything else!

oop:

Oh silly me! How could I forget?

**Peter Lowe** · 30th July 13, 01:00 PM

I have had a reply from NTS.

They make it clear that the wearing of the Sgian Dubh is not illegal but that they, as organisers, have decided to ban it after consulting with the Police. I think Downunder identified this in post#23.

I have replied accepting that everyone wants the event to be safe. I go on to say that they are targeting the risk from one group of attendees while ignoring the risk from irresponsible or drunken attendees with bottles. I finish by saying that the NTS do not appear to be discharging their duty of care in a proper and balance way and that I will not be renewing my membership.

I do not think that I can influence this further.

Peter

**Markth** · 1st August 13, 02:34 PM

Regarding bottles a lot of outdoor events I attend, festivals, matches etc will allow you to bring them but only if they are plastic - glass is usually frowned on not only because of the the potential as a weapon but also the land will be used for other purposes after the event and broken glass is rarely welcome.
A few places have charities lined up to decant from your glass to plastic bottles for a small donation.

**jhockin** · 1st August 13, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

Perhaps the organizers could issue "Sgian brews" to all the attendees... Proper appearance, and functionality (albeit for a different, yet more pleasurable purpose).

OR! - some enterprising lad(s) or Lassie(s) could (if they haven't already) have a bunch of sgain brews made-up, with some sort(s) of souvenir of Bannockburn 2014 on the top -so then folks could show-off that they'd been there ;0) ( o'course i expect a % for posting the idea!)

**okiwen** · 4th August 13, 08:54 PM

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.

**flyrod6057** · 4th August 13, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by jhockin

OR! - some enterprising lad(s) or Lassie(s) could (if they haven't already) have a bunch of sgain brews made-up, with some sort(s) of souvenir of Bannockburn 2014 on the top -so then folks could show-off that they'd been there ;0) ( o'course i expect a % for posting the idea!)

AH! Capitalism at work! A truly great idea! If I were able to attend, I'd be an easy mark.....