Highlanders from Lonach have been banned from carrying their sgian dubhs as they parade at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – but will be allowed to carry 8ft pikes.

The Highlanders will attend the world famous event on Monday, August 14, for the first time in their near 200-year history in the capital in full highland dress.

However, due to Tattoo rules the men will not be able to wear the complete dress as sgian dubhs have been banned due to security concerns.

Jennifer Stewart, secretary and chief executive of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, said: “This will be the first time the Lonach Highlanders will have been down to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

“We have 75 men going down who will have their full dress on along with 8ft pikes.

“The organisers did tell us about not to take sgian dubhs.

“It is a bit odd as the men are holding 8ft pikes but that is the rules.

“We were told it was for security reasons so we just need to stick to the rules.”

For almost 200 years, the men of Lonach have marched through the ancient glens of Strathdon with their pikes.

They will now head to Edinburgh to march in front of around 8,500 people in the castle’s esplanade to start the evening’s performance.

It will come more than a week before the 176th Lonach games which will take place on Saturday, August 26.

The 75 clansmen who visit Edinburgh will be joined by more than 100 others for their six-mile march around the local area, following in the footsteps of their forefathers and continuing the famous tradition.

The tradition has been running since 1823 when the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society was founded by Sir Charles Forbes.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said: “As a public military event, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has a fully integrated security plan focused on providing a safe and secure event for all our guests, performers and staff.”

She added: “To ensure the safety and security of all attendees at the Tattoo we, like other events, ask that the sgian dubh is left at home by audience members who have not had to forgo the strict security measures and checks our Tattoo performers do.”