Targe, Sgian Dubh and Dirk..on time

This unusual clock hangs in my lounge. It was made by Jimmy Nisbet, who lived the latter days of his life in a house on the grounds of Culzean Castle. He was a remarkably talented craftsman and raconteur.

He made every element of the clock, other than the electric works, in his workshop using very traditional hand and foot driven tools. The pattern on the leather face of the Targe (a form of Highland Shield)he pressed out by hand; he made every tack or nail, and the Sgian Dugh which acts as the hour hand and the Dirk, which is the minute hand. He only made 7 clocks in his life, and it took him many weeks to produce one. The work to balance everything perfectly for the electric works, was a particular challenge.

We have had the clock for many years, and it still keeps pretty good time. I love the idea that the Targe is modelled on one found at Culloden, the subject of an earlier Blip.