30 March 2025
Colin Fraser
Although thankfully for most of us arms and armour do not play an active part in modern day to day life, this is not a statement that is true of many past generations.
At their core, these are tools designed for an unpleasant end, yet throughout history they have been elevated to symbols of status and even works of art. Moreover, the design and characteristics of weaponry often reflect both time and place - Scottish arms being a quintessential example of this.
Scottish arms are iconic the world over, partly due to their public persona through films such as the Outlaw King and Braveheart which dispel the romantic views of the Highlander, and through the phenomenally popular Outlander which blends romance with reality.
This has not been a modern phenomenon and Scottish swords, guns, dirks and targes have been collected and displayed for their iconic national appeal, artistry and patriotic fervour since the 19th century. This tradition is well illustrated by prominent displays such as the grand hall at Inveraray Castle and the entrance of Sir Walter Scott’s home at Abbotsford - two of the most notable examples.
Well, through status of the owner and the skill of the craftsman.
The wearing of these pieces, though common across society, also served as a clear marker of status - much like clothing, the sword at your side signalled your place in the social hierarchy. So the craftspeople raised the game to accommodate finer making, engraving, design, silver inlay and style.
Scottish arms of the 18th century arguably represent the peak of their national character, with minimal influence from wider styles. Crafted during a time of widespread unrest, the looming presence of the Jacobites - regardless of one’s allegiance - brought persistent uncertainty and a constant need to be armed. The Highlander’s equipage is instantly and enduringly recognisable - an emblem of Scottish identity that transcends mere function. Comprising broadswords, dirks, pistols, and targes, this array of arms is not only iconically Scottish but also celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship, historical resonance, and visual impact.
In the grand portraits of Highland chiefs and clan leaders, this weaponry is often worn with pride, not in combat, but as part of formal dress. Each element, from the intricate silverwork on a sword hilt to the ornate carving on a dirk’s handle, speaks volumes about the wearer’s social standing, influence, and heritage.
These were not generic implements of war, but deeply personal objects, tailored to express allegiance, lineage, and the strength of one's clan.
A national symbol, the basket-hilted broadsword - once banned - evolved from a purely functional weapon to one of ornate silver decoration. This embellishment served no practical purpose but was a powerful statement of allegiance and prestige. Notable 18th-century makers such as Walter Allan of Stirling, James Simpson of Glasgow, and Thomas Biggart of Irvine are now highly sought after by collectors.
Perhaps nowhere does craftsmanship shine more clearly in steel pistols crafted by the gunsmiths of Doune. Famed for their quality these pistols, engraved and silver-inlaid, became symbols of status in themselves, commissioned by wealthy clients ranging from earls to clan leaders.
The famed ‘Highland charge,’ which proved so effective in catching the enemy off guard during the campaigns of the ’45, was not executed with gun and sword, but targe and dirk until its downfall at the hands of the newly trained and disciplined Hanoverian forces."
These two more utilitarian weapons were the backbone of the Jacobite success through 1745 to 1746. They were close combat weapons for attack and defensive but none the less saw the skills of the maker applied.
The targes occasionally set with silver, always with brass studs were now decorated in motifs and patterns for show. When polished and new must have gleamed and shone before battle.
The dirk, with its finely carved handle - designed, of course, to aid grip on a wet battlefield - was crafted with a level of finesse far beyond mere functionality. The intricate tooling of the leather scabbard and the decorative detailing on the mounts elevate it well beyond a simple fighting knife."
While made at a time and for a purpose, these rare survivals now show what skill went into them. With the romance of the Highland warrior re-envisaged and the realities of battle more accurately recounted, these weapons are now recognised not only as instruments that shaped a nation, but as testaments to the artistry of the makers who elevated them far beyond mere tools.
