Sgian Achlais Information. How was it secured under the armpit?

 

Dear Mr Burgess, 

 Thank you for contacting National Museums Scotland. 

 It is difficult to be precise about this particular weapon. As it was meant to be concealed it is seldom depicted in contemporary paintings or prints of Highland dress and mentions of it in the written record are scarce. When mentioned, it is usually the location on the body (armpit or sleeve), rather than the method of securing/carrying it that is described. However, clothing found on bodies preserved in peat bogs in the Highlands and Islands have sometimes included cloth strips on the underarm, which may have been used to secure a small dagger. 

Best wishes, 

Rosie Waine

 William Grant Foundation Research Fellow

Department of Scottish History and Archaeology