The traditional craft of Scottish basket sword hilt making continues today at Ian Kirkwood's workshop in Strathardle, Scotland. Each sword hilt is an expression of Scottish identity, pride and martial tradition.

Natural Highland themes and traditional motifs are the inspiration for Ian's designs. Ian has an honours degree in Design. Choose from the existing range ...or commssion a new theme.

Popular with collectors, or commissioned as trophies, these decorative but entirely practical steel broadsword hilts (historical fencers please note) are supplied for display on hardwood stands or mounted on sword blades as originally intended. Each hilt is made to order.
< "The front view of my 'Atholl' hilt reveals its asymetric design, an authentic feature allowing the basket to wrap glove-like around the swordsman's hand. Conservators at Blair Castle struggled to identify this as a modern copy."

"I first took a close look at broadswords while working for the National Trust for Scotland in the 1980s. Their intricate design and sculptural quality captured my imagination. Since then I have had the chance to examine many old swords in private collections in Scotland, enabling me to retain the functionality of antique pieces and continually improve my work."

Ian Kirkwood
The 'Atholl' Hilt