Est. 2016
Mike Smith
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Teaching:
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Macdonald Academy Method Backsword
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Bayonet Fencing
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WW2 Combatives
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Stick Defence (inc Quarter Staff)
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Trained At:
Macdonald Academy of Arms: Dec 2004 - 2016
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Taught At:
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McBane 2024
Edinburgh, Scotland 2024
Head Organiser
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McBane's 7 vs 1
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12th International Meeting, Malta Historical Fencing Association
Malta, 2023
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McBane's 7 vs 1
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McBane 2023
Edinburgh, Scotland 2023
Head Organiser
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McBane's 7 vs 1
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McBane 2019
Edinburgh, Scotland 2019
Head Organiser
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McBane's 7 vs 1
McBane 2018
Edinburgh, Scotland 2018
Head Organiser
19th International Meeting FISAS
Treviso, Italy 2018
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Advanced Backsword, The Power of the Moulinet
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Fixed Bayonet
7th International Meeting, Malta Historical Fencing Association
Malta,2017
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WW2 Combatives
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​​Paddy Crean - International Order of the Sword & the Pen.
Banff, Canada 2016/7
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Backsword
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WW2 Combatives
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​S.W.A.S.H
Leeds, England 2009
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Backsword
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WW2 Combatives Demo
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​10th International Meeting FISAS
Verbania, Italy 2009
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Backsword,
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WW2 Combatives
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Quarterstaff
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Celtic Exchange
Edinburgh, Scotland 2008
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Tall vs Small - Adjusting Techniques
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​Tocati
Verona, Italy 2008
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Backsword Demonstrations
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When Not Fighting
Mike runs an award winning Whisky & Ale bar and has a young family in Dunbar. He has been known to take part in the occasional running event, and co-runs the Commando D Living History Group with Paul Macdonald. When he finds the spare time he enjoys art, and has held solo exhibitions in Australia and Scotland.
In 2022, Mike was asked to act as the official sword-bearer at the inauguration of the new chief of Clan MacBean.
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Steve Kilbane
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Teaching:
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Macdonald Academy Method Backsword
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Bayonet Fencing
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Bullwhip
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Italian Cane
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Quarter Staff
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Trained At:
Macdonald Academy of Arms: 2002 - Present
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Stephen Kilbane has been studying historical swordsmanship since he joined Macdonald Academy of Arms on its opening night in 2002, where he is now an instructor and Chef du Salle under Maestro Paul Macdonald.
Taught At:
Steve has given workshops and seminars on historical swordsmanship at events in Scotland, England, Italy, Malta and the USA. Steve is a co-organiser of the annual McBane Event and has taught several workshops there, from Smallsword vs Broadsword and Italian Cane.
When Not Fighting
Aside from historical fencing, Steve also practices the De Longis method of bullwhip cracking, and is the founder of the Scottish Knife, Axe and Tomahawk Throwing Association (skatta.org.uk).
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