The Loch Treig sword

The Loch Treig sword

Military

This basket hilted broadsword dates from either the late 17th or early 18th century. Basket-hilts were swords with a basket-shaped guard to protect the hand, and were common throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. The most famous of this type in Scotland was the Scottish Claymore. Although this sword is in fairly decayed condition it has been included in the gallery because it has fascinating story behind it. It was found by chance in a cave at the head of Loch Treig called Craig-guanach in 1880 and given to Sir Alfred MacAulay, who gifted it to the museum in 1938. When it was found the bones of a man's arm and hand were found holding the sword. Tradition has it that there was a big clan battle near Craig-guanach and it is possible that a clansman injured in the battle crawled into the cave and died there.

Scottish

17th century

eulac3d

Physical Object

47

16/12/2020

L 864 mm x W 152 mm (hilt)

West Highland Museum

find,56.8119553,-4.7268994;

West Highlands Museum

TEXT

142

steel

873