Learn the ways of the Highland warrior with us!

Through May and June 2026, The Vanguard Centre will be hosting a series of lessons on fighting like the Scottish clansmen of old, using the basket hilt sword and targe. This combination of weapons was famed in the Jacobite Rebellions in the 18th century, used by the supporters of James Stewart from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, as had been practised for generations before in the longest lived warrior culture of the British Isles. Even as an antiquated throwback to medieval fighting arts in an age of black-powder firearms and manoeuvre warfare, the complex hilt sword in combination with the strapped shield of the clansmen was a force to be reckoned with even against professional soldiers, winning the Jacobite cause battle after battle until the change of doctrines and fortunes at Culloden in 1746.

This course will be open to everybody, from the experienced historical fencer to the casual fan of Scottish history, with lessons and sparring games aimed at improving the tactics and body mechanics of all practitioners, be they experienced martial artists or picking up the blade for the first time.
With instructional manuals of the day, combined with archaeological study and modern teaching procedures, we can partially reconstruct the fighting system of the old Scots into a challenging and enjoyable combat sport, with keen attention paid to safety and health of the practitioners.

Basic equipment will be provided by the Vanguard Centre as part of the course, but suitable clothing and footwear must be brought by each participant.

The course will be suitable for people over the age of 16 years.

The course will cost £90 for 6 lessons over 6 weeks, with entrance available for purchase through our online shop.
The lessons are scheduled at 7.30pm on Tuesday nights, on the 26th of May, and the 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th of June 2026

26/05/2026 Week 1: Intro to the sword and shield, the first cuts and guards, basic footwork
02/06/2026 Week 2: Further cuts, further guards, drilling with an opponent
09/06/2026 Week 3: The thrusts and their counters, distance, range, and timing
16/06/2026 Week 4: Fighting through your opponent, manipulating with the shield
23/06/2026 Week 5: The complete fight, bringing all the basic elements together
30/06/2026 Week 6: Sparring games, and team melee with multiple opponents

beginners broadsword

Highlander & Jacobite Fighting Arts Course