UPDATE: Montreal bagpiper fined by police for ceremonial dagger

Jeff McCarthy has played the bagpipes in traditional Scottish dress for more than 25 years.

On Wednesday,  McCarthy was taking a break from the McGill University convocation ceremonies at Place-des-Arts when he was approached by police and asked about his Sgian Dubh, a traditional Scottish ceremonial knife, meaning “black knife”.

“I started to explain that the Sgian Dubh is worn in plain sight as a sign of good faith and that it is a part of the Scottish culture and history,” McCarthy told Global News Thursday.

McCarthy says police then confiscated the knife and gave him a $221 ticket for carrying a knife in public.

“I was  pretty flabbergasted when they said it was illegal. I’ve been wearing a Sgian Dubh for 26 years,” said McCarthy.

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The Montreal bagpiper plays at the Ogilvy’s department store on Sainte-Catherine street five days a week.

He also takes part in a myriad of events where Scottish culture is on display.

Canada Day ceremonies, Remembrance Day Ceremonies, Police balls, The Highland Games and Graduation ceremonies are just some of the events McCarthy has played over the last two decades.

The father of two plans on contesting the ticket.

“I could just pay it, but I think that would do a  disservice to the Scottish community. They deserve better.”

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Members from a prominent Scottish community organization agree.

“It is ridiculous, you will see most people in highland dress wear a  Sgian Dubh,” Campbell Oliver from the St. Andrew’s Society told Global News.

“It is not a real weapon, it is part of the regalia.”

The St. Andrew’s Society hopes that the incident with McCarthy was just a misunderstanding.

“I would hope the ticket would be dropped, I’m very surprised to hear about this happening in Montreal,” said Brian Mackenzie, President of the Montreal St. Andrew’s Society.

McCarthy says he will perform at Remembrance Day ceremonies in full Scottish dress, just like he has for the last 25 years.

Montreal police wrote in an email that the inspector of the Unité Métro will verify the situation and contact McCarthy get his version of events.