The claymore (Gaelic: claidheamh mòr) is the best known sword of the Highlands. These swords were so big that they had to be handled with both hands. Although the claymore is a medieval style weapon, it was used until the eighteenth century. A clansman would swing his claymore around the head or in a figure of eight while moving forward, so it soon became famous for taking off heads and other body parts during battle.