Scottish Walking Sticks 2006

<H1>Scottish Walking Sticks</H1> <div>For that extra special gift, most sticks can be personalized with initials or a name. It is important that a stick is comfortable in use, so please read Choosing a Stick.</div> <div><P>Horn - handled stick or "crookmaking" stems from the need of the hill shepherd to have a tool for catching and controlling his flock of sheep. The added benefit of a stabilizer while walking over rough terrain meant that the crook became an indispensable companion to the shepherd. <BR>Sheep horns were used for crafting the handle because it was considerably stronger than wood. </P> <P>The craft is peculiar to the United Kingdom and in particular the upland areas of the country, such as the Scottish Highlands.</P></div> <div><P>Using heat and skill, the horn is manipulated to form the comfortable handle of the crook. It is a very time-consuming process and great skill is required, but the end result is a beautiful (as well as practical) walking aid. Today, as a result of changes in farming practice, horn handled sticks are made from Asian water buffalo horn, but the traditional techniques for crafting the handles are still practised.</P> <P>To complement the country stick, we have developed the ‘town cane’. The handles are still formed in the traditional way, but they are fitted to shafts of rosewood and completed with sterling silver collars, creating a very elegant walking accessory.</P> <P>For that extra special gift, most sticks can be personalized with initials or a name.<BR>It is important that a stick is comfortable in use, so please read <A title="Choosing a Stick" href="./d10.html">Choosing a Stick</A>. </P></div> <b>Index:</b> <p><a href="contents/en-uk/index.html"><b>English</b></a></p> <p>Scottish Walking Sticks</p>