Highlander movie fans told: Hand in your swords... they're a terror risk!

By ANDY BEAVEN, NEWS AND FEATURE WRITER Published: 18:32, 4 July 2026 | Updated: 18:46, 4 July 2026 It tells the story of immortal warriors doing battle across the ages - from 16th-century Scotland to 1980s New York. But although the cult movie Highlander is full of sword-wielding action, modern-day fans have had to sheathe their weapons as they welcome one of the film’s stars to Glasgow. Amid heightened concerns about the threat of terror attacks, attendees at a sci-fi event in the city this weekend have been ordered to surrender their blades. For although Christopher Lambert - who played Connor McGregor in the original 1986 movie - is signing autographs at the Film & Comic Con, anyone wanting him to sign a replica metal sword must first check it in with security staff. Fans will only be reunited with their weapon moments before the actor is ready to sign it. Signed swords will then be stashed back in a locked room until the attendee is ready to leave. The precautions are to minimise the possibility of anyone turning up with a real sword - which might go unnoticed among a sea of replicas. Organisers of the event, which runs until this evening (SUN) at the Braehead Arena, warned visitors in advance about the rules, saying: ‘Due to the current severe threat terror level in Scotland you will still be able to get your swords signed but there are some additional restrictions.’ They insisted that replica swords should remain securely boxed at all times while being transported to and from the venue, and on arrival, should be declared immediately and handed directly to venue security to be put into secure storage. Christopher Lambert played Connor McGregor in the original 1986 movie  Lambert attended a fan event in Glasgow where he signed memorabilia as well as fans' swords They explained: ‘Replica swords will remain in secure storage and will only be removed by venue security for the attendee’s allocated signing time. Following the signing, the replica sword will be returned to secure storage and will only be handed back to the owner when they are leaving the venue.’ And they concluded: ‘We are sure you can all understand the sensitivity under the current threat level and this we feel is a fair compromise that will still allow you to get your collectible item signed and we thank you for your understanding.’ One fan used social media to ask if they could have a steel version of the Katana sword wielded by Lambert in the movie signed. In response, organisers said the fan could be present when Lambert signed it but that outside of the actual moment it was signed, the sword would be ‘stored by security’. Terrorism threat levels indicate the likelihood of a terrorist attack in the UK. The MI5 website currently states the threat level in the UK is ‘severe’ - meaning secruity services believe ‘an attack is highly likely’. Although Highlander - with its famous tagline ‘There can be only one!’ - failed to make a profit when it was originally released, it later attained cult status and spawned a string of sequels and TV spin-offs. Alongside Lambert - who later played Lord Raiden in Mortal Kombat & John Henry Brennick in Fortress - Highlander starred Sean Connery as a wandering Spanish swordsman called Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez. Scotland has been awash with celebrities in recent weeks as part of filming for the hotly anticipated remake of Highlander. Hollywood stars Russell Crowe, Henry Cavill as well as Scots actors Karen Gillan and Kevin McKidd have all been spotted filming in the Highlands, including a set within the grounds of Eilean Donan Castle. Inverness-born Ms Gillan, 38, will play Heather, wife of Highlander’s lead character Connor MacLeod, a part taken this time by Superman actor Cavill, 42, with Crowe taking on the role of Ramírez. In the film, MacLeod is a Highland warrior who discovers he will live forever unless his head is severed. The Film & Comic Con Glasgow is described as a ‘fun weekend where you can browse the many trader stalls, get those hard-to-find items, geek out and enjoy the cosplay - a must for all fans of pop culture.’ It also features appearances by Craig Charles, best known as Lister in the long-running sci-fi show Red Dwarf, Varada Sethu, who appeared as the Doctor’s companion Belinda Chandra in the most recent season of Doctor Who, and Tommy Knight is best known as playing Luke Smith, Sarah Jane’s son in The Sarah Jane Adventures and Doctor Who. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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