Centuries of Highland Tradition. So, What is a Sgian Dubh?

History and Origins. 

The Sgian Dubh, is an integral aspect of modern Scottish symbolism. The history is an intertwining of Highland culture and martial tradition. There are a number of suggested origin stories and much contrasting speculation as to the true history of the knife. Much of that history has been lost due to the turbulent years of war and rebellion and as a result of legislation that outlawed Highland culture and weapons. The romanticism of the Victorian era reinvented an idealised Highland culture for an affluent society, reimagining many cultural artifacts to fit with that society. This does not diminish the allure or authenticity of the origins of this small knife. So, here is our interpretation of its origins and history, drawn from multiple sources.

The knife holds a significant place in history as a weapon, a symbol of honour, rebellion, tradition and a fashion essential. It has become a symbolic representation of the highland tradition, worn by many across the social strata from Clansman to Crown Prince. This small knife has been worn as a component of traditional Scottish Highland dress for many centuries, heavily influenced by martial traditions of the Highland regiments throughout the Centuries .

‘Sgian Dubh’ is the original Scottish Gaelic spelling for the Dark Knife. It is pronounced ‘Skee-an Doo’. However, it is often anglicised, some variations are; Skene du, Skein dubh, skean dhu, Skhian dubh, skene-dhu, Sgian dhu, Skene dubh, Skean dub, etc.

Although it is often described as a ‘black knife’, it is more accurately translated into English as ‘dark knife’ (sgian = knife, dubh = dark). The early Sgian Dubh were crudely made by local Scottish Gohba or Gowan, (Smith), who would have utilised locally available materials. Originally, they were made with antler horn or local wood handles and mounted in brass, with a simple leather sheath. Each knife would have been individually made and unique.

The term ‘dark’ probably refers to its sinister origin or use, rather than reference to the colour of the grip. As a hidden or covert dagger, it was one of the arms carried and recognised in Highland martial culture. It is likely the covert versions were concealed under clothing such as inside a doublet (short jacket) or under a shirt sleeve.

The war torn and turbulent years of 17th and 18th Centuries saw a series of Jacobite rebellions in Scotland, in an attempt to restore the exiled monarch. The Highland Services Act, (The Disarming Act) (1715), aimed to curtail Jacobitism amongst the Scottish clans of the Highlands, by outlawing the carrying of weapons. This was impossible to enforce North of the Highland Line, instead it is believed to have perpetuated the carrying of concealed small daggers.

However, following the Jacobite defeat at the Battle of Culloden, the Proscription Act (1746) strengthened the previous disarming act. A further attempt to control the Clans was the introduction of The Dress Act (1746), (Repealed 1782) , which outlawed the wearing of Highland dress. With the notable exception of the Highland regiments, who were permitted to continue to wear their traditional kilts, with many regiments wearing the Black Watch tartan. Following the Acts repeal in 1782, Clan tartans increased in popularity, with many regiments adopting them, to promote their regimental identity.

The Sgian Dubh would generally only be worn by commissioned officers and regimental pipers. The Sgian Dubh became an increasingly important element of the uniform and reflected the regimental traditions. As the commissions were historically purchased, the officers were responsible for providing their own uniforms and equipment, these were individually tailored. In the world of uniformity, this provided an opportunity to embellish the Sgian Dubh to reflect their individuality and demonstrate their social status.

This appears to have popularised the more complex and ornate versions. Some regimental Sgian Dubhs had silver adornments with blades etched with regimental symbols. The early leather sheath, evolved into highly decorative pieces of art. Reinforced with wood and fitted with silver throats and tips. Wearing the Sgian Dubh tucked in the hose also originates from this C19th period of development.

The Victorian era saw the rise of the romanticised interpretation of Highland culture, which in turn created an explosion of interest, and a clamour to follow the Royal fashion. This ‘fashion’ filtered more directly into civilian adoptions of regimental Highland dress and created demand for the development of a variety of tartans, as fashion statements. In turn this led to further demand for more elaborate, ornate and bespoke versions of Sgian Dubh.

Kilts continued to be worn by Highland regiments during all the major British military campaigns up to the Second World War. They were withdrawn from active service in 1940, when they were considered impractical for the mechanised theatre of War. Many Sgian Dubh were later found buried in the mud at the Somme. The traditional Highland dress is retained for regimental dress and ceremonial occasions. The ever present Sgian Dubh remains part of that tradition.

Another theory for the Sgian Dubh origin, suggests that it evolved from the small skinning knife, forming part of the typical set of hunting knives. These sets contain a butchering knife with a 9-to-10-inch (23 to 25 cm) blade, and a skinner with a blade of about 4 inches (10 cm). These knives usually had antler handles, as do many early Sgian Dubh. The larger knife is likely the ancestor of the modern dirk.

The early blades varied in construction, some having a clipped or drop point. The spear-point tip has now become universal. Scalloped filework on the back of the blade is common on all Scottish knives. A short blade of 3 to 3.5 inches (7.5 to 9 cm) is typical.

As the modern Sgian Dubh is an ornamental or ceremonial item of dress, many versions are simply made of plastic. By contrast, other examples are more exclusive and expensive art pieces, with hand-carved ebony, oak or exotic wood hilts, sterling silver or precious metal fittings and may have pommels set with rare or semi precious stones and quality blades of Damascus steel, etched steel or hand forged.

It is often given as a gift or passed down through families as an heirloom, and many owners view it as a symbol of their heritage. The Sgian Dubh has also become symbolic at some Scottish wedding ceremonies. The custom is for a groom to wear it as part of his wedding attire. The wearing of a Sgian Dubh as part of traditional Highland dress also serves as a way of honouring the past and preserving Scottish culture for future generations.

How far this dark knife has come; from a crude local tool to symbol of rebellion; from Victorian opulence, through the Great war, to a modern representation of Highland legacy and a treasured family heirloom.

Antique Sgian Dubh

A modern intreptation-Sgian Dubh with Damscus steel blade, African black wood handle, Gold fittings incorporating Baltic Amber pommel stone

2nd Lt. G.N. Rome MC MID. 10th (Scottish) Battalion. The King’s Liverpool Regiment. 1918

Our Sgian Dubh are designed for ceremonial or ornamental use, to wear with National dress. To comply with current U.K. legislation, Sgian Dubh will only be sold to customers over 18 years old.

Proof of age will be required prior to completion of the sale.