The Breadalbane dirk

The Breadalbane dirk

Highlands

This decorative dirk is part of a Highland outfit. In addition to the blade there is small knife and fork that fit neatly into the leather scabbard. The handles are carved from wood and decorated with metal studs. The dirk belonged to the Earl of Breadalbane. He wore this dirk in Edinburgh for the visit of George IV (1762 - 1830) in 1822. The visit of George IV was a very special occasion full of pomp and pageantry. It was the first time a reigning British monarch had visited Scotland since Charles II in 1651. The visit was orchestrated by the writer Sir Walter Scott who organised a Highland festival to celebrate the visit of the King. The event was important as it reinvented many Scottish traditions for its Georgian audience, including a passion for all things tartan. This somewhat false image of Highland heritage persists to this day.

Alexander Gairdner

1754 -99

eulac3d

Physical Object

52

16/12/2020

L 400 mm x W 40 mm (hilt)

Hepburn Bequest

find,55.9493959,-3.2307507;

West Highlands Museum

TEXT

156

metal, wood, gilt

2198