Knives of the clans - a history of Scottish weapons

Forbes Inglis speaks to Paul Macdonald of Mcdonald Armouries about the history of Scottish weapons.

Paul Macdonald of Edinburgh is the 'go to' expert for anyone looking to purchase top class replica swords, dirks or knives or wanting to know more about the story of manufacturing them. 

When Paul left home to study at Edinburgh University in 1992 he had no inkling of how his life would change from that moment. While studying he took a part-time job with metal workers on the Royal Mile in the city, learning how to manufacture the sgian duhb (skee en doo) for sale to the tourist industry. A sgian duhb (black knife) is worn in the top of a sock as part of a formal kilt outfit.

One of his employers offered Paul a full-time job when he finished university, a job making swords and knives. Previously, Paul had had no experience of working with tools and metal but he was smitten with the work, deciding he wanted to be involved in making more authentic and realistic weapons rather than just replicas for tourists and he set about studying the history and technology of manufacturing metal armaments before setting up his own armory. 

Since then Paul has been involved in the manufacture of replica weapons and refurbishing the arms collections of several of the Scottish clan chiefs, including Lord Elgin The Duke of Argyll, also known as the Chief of the Clan Campbell at Inverary Castle and Cameron of Lochiel, whose collection is probably the finest in Scotland. This work ranges from repairing and protecting these artifacts to replacing individual sword grips and repairing or replacing the mechanisms on early firearms. 

Paul has also worked on the sword belonging to Rob Roy which is currently held in a private collection. Rob Roy MacGregor was a cattle dealer or cattle thief, depending on your point of view, and is a legendary figure in Scottish history. He was arrested on a number of occasions but invariably escaped from custody until he was finally imprisoned in Newgate in 1726, where he was saved by a Royal pardon. 

Originally, making metal armaments would have involved hand forging but this method is rarely, if ever, used today. Paul uses a process called stock removal which involves taking flat bars of carbon steel, cutting out the blade profile and then grinding and sanding to produce the blade itself, before adding a handle or grip thus producing a quality replica that would stand in comparison with the original.

Developing his craft skills has meant years of research, both to ensure accuracy in his products and to increase his own knowledge of the weaponry and those who used it. As a result, Paul's replica weapons are of high quality. Some of his products have been used in movies and his replica WWII commando knives have been requested for use in other cinematic productions. Paul himself works as a movie extra and he has played a bit part in Outlander. His connection with Outlander doesn't end there however as he puts his historical and military knowledge to good use, undertaking storytelling at events celebrating the series and at other historical commemorations.

Paul's historical interests also led to him rediscovering the story behind a sword in the collection of the Duke of Argyll when he reunited one weapon with the legend of its owner, Big Duncan MacKenzie. MacKenzie had fought alongside the Jacobite Bonnie Prince Charlie against the forces of the Hanoverian monarch George II at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745. This battle was part of a doomed campaign by the Prince to regain the British Crown for his father James VIII. At the Battle of Prestonpans, near Edinburgh, where the Jacobite forces defeated General Cope's Government army, MacKenzie had been attacked by a mounted trooper.

The Highlander leapt onto a nearby wall to put him level with the trooper. As the trooper came up to him he jumped off the wall and brought his sword down on the Redcoat's head. The hats worn by troopers had a metal protective insert, known as a secret, inside them, however MacKenzie struck with such force that the secret, and the unfortunate trooper's skull, were split in two, killing him instantly. In the aftermath of the battle it was one of the most talked about incidents.

Later, MacKenzie was detained by Government forces and put on trial. A plea from his supporters saw him go free but only after he had sworn never to take up arms again against the Government. His sword was confiscated. It seemed to have disappeared until Paul identified it - it was instantly recognizable by the 10/11 inch long blunt edge caused by the force of MacKenzie's strike - in the Duke of Argyll's collection. Before returning the weapon to the collection Paul took it on a 'pilgrimage' to places associated with MacKenzie, Prestonpans and finally to MacKenzie's grave. At the bottom of the gravestone, there is an engraving depicting the incident.

In 2008 Paul started up a living history group that focuses on the original WWII commando training, much of which was undertaken in the Scottish Highlands. That particular experience stems from Paul's own boyhood interests in the commandos and finding out more about the skills they were taught. This has proved very successful and, in what Paul describes as 'being under the most pressure ever to get things right', they undertook a display on Remembrance Day in front of a group of veterans. Happily for the group their exhibition was so well received that they have been invited to take part in the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Commando Monument at Spean Bridge near Fort William every year since then, a wonderful tribute to the accuracy of the group's work and the dedication of the members. 

Another of Paul's many historical interests is battlefield archaeology and he is part of a group who investigate sites in the West Highlands and Islands, searching for lesser-known battlefields, exploring legends and seeking artifacts that have lain undiscovered for centuries. One of the group's most interesting discoveries was finding musket/pistol balls which had been among the first shots fired in the 1745 uprising and Paul discovered an even earlier relic, a Pictish axe, in a bog in Glen Clova.  Another exciting find was a horde of musket balls, probably part of an arms shipment sent to aid the Jacobite cause in 1746. Artifacts such as those add color to Paul's storytelling.

Those seeking an opportunity to be more involved in history can take part in Paul's Highland Challenge where participants engage in what he describes as 'a week long cultural immersion'. Every morning there is a different challenge and each afternoon there is hands on martial training with indigenous weapons such as broad swords, quarterstaffs and dirks. Each evening is given over to social events, laced with more history and traditional Scottish fare.

So, whether you have Scottish roots or are simply interested in hands on history, if you fancy embracing your clan heritage Paul might just have the course to help you learn some of the martial arts and tactics your ancestors would have used when engaged in battle. 

For further information on Paul's work see www.macdonaldarms.com