Sgian dubh
Ceremonial knife
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A sgian dubh (/ˌskiːən ˈduː/ skee-ən-DOO; Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [s̪kʲənˈt̪u]) is a small, single-edged knife worn as part of traditional Scottish Highland dress. It is worn tucked into the top of the kilt hose with the hilt visible.
Etymology and spelling
Sgian-dubh in Scottish Gaelic means "black knife", from sgian ('knife') and dubh ('black'). The name is derived from the colour of the hilt, usually made of bog-oak.[1] Other spellings are found in English, including skean dhu[2] and skene dhu.[3]
Origins
_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
The sgian dubh has been described as originally a dagger that could be concealed under the armpit.[4] It has also been stated that it emerged as part of the revival of highland dress in the early 19th century.[1]
Legality
When worn as part of the national dress of Scotland, carrying a sgian dubh is legal in Scotland, England, and Wales. In Scotland under the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 s. 49(5)(c);[5] in England and Wales under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (s. 139)[6] and the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 (s. 4).[7][non-primary source needed] Carrying a sgian dubh has sometimes been banned in Britain; for example, they were banned from a school dance in Scotland,[8] and initially banned for the 2014 celebration of the Battle of Bannockburn.[9]
When travelling by air with a sgian dubh, it is prohibited in some countries from having it in the cabin, but it is allowed in checked baggage.[10][11][12][non-primary source needed]
Piper Jeff McCarthy was fined CA$221 on 2 November 2016 for wearing a sgian dubh in his kilt hose while performing in Montreal, Canada.[13] McCarthy contested the fine, which was cancelled, and his knife was returned.[14]
