Repeal of Proscription Act

ANNIVERSARY A DAY TO WEAR YOUR TARTAN WITH PRIDE

REPEAL OF PROSCRIPTION ACT JULY 1, 1782 It was a right denied to our countrymen, women and children for 35 years!

IN AN effort to crush the clan system in Scotland, the English government of the day passed an act on August 1, 1747 banning the wearing of the tartan. Following the Jacobite defeat at Culloden, Prince Charles fled to South Uist then eventually went across to France. His supporters suffered under the ‘Butcher of Cumberland’ and to further punish Scotland, Parliament issued Acts to destroy the clans, their identities and economic structures. New laws were imposed to ban the playing of the bagpipes and the wearing of highland dress. After 35 years, the law was repealed on July 1, 1782 and the Scot could once again wear his plaid with pride and without the fear of punishment. In America and Canada, Tartan Day is celebrated on April 6 as a joint celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. In Australia and New Zealand, we celebrate Tartan Day on July 1 - the day the proscription was lifted. There are estimated to be around three million people of Scottish descent living in Australia.

Wear something tartan on July 1. You are bound to evoke questions from friends and neighbours and you can proudly tell them that you are celebrating freedom - the right to proclaim your Scottish heritage and wear the garment so closely associated with Scotland - the tartan.

Th e Pr osc ri pti on - 1st August 1747

From and after the first day of August one thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven, no man or boy within that part of Great Br itain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as offic ers and soldier s in His Majesty's forc es, shall , on any pr etenc e whatsoev er wear or put on the cl othes comm onl y cal le d Highl and c lothe s, (that is to say) the plaid, phi libeg or little kilt, trowse, shoulder b elts, or any part whatsoever of what pe culi arly bel ongs to the Highland garb: and that no tar tan or partly-c oloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats: and that if any such person shall presume, after the said first day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid garments, or any part of them, every such person so offending, being ther eof convicte d by the oath of one or more c redibl e witness or witne sses before any court of justiciary, or any one or more justices of the peace for the shire or stewartry, or ju dge ordinary of the place where such offe nses shall he committed, shall su ffe r i mpr isonme nt, wi thout bai l, dur ing the space of six months, and no longe r: and being convicted for a second offense before a court of justiciary, or at the ci rc uits, shal l be li abl e to be transported to any of H is Maje sty's pl antations be yond the seas, there to remain for the space of seven years.

The Repeal - 1st July 1782

Listen Men. This is bringing before all the Sons of the Gael, the King and Parliament of Britain have forever abolished the act against the Highland Dress; which came down to the Clans from the beginning of the world to the year 1746. This must bring great joy to every Highland Heart. You are no longer bound down to the unmanly dress of the Lowlander. This is declaring to every Man, young and old, simple and gentle, that they may after this put on and wear the Truis, the Little Kilt, the Coat, and the Striped Hose, and also the Belted Plaid, without fear of the Law of the Realm or the spite of the enemies. Scots News Magazine June/July 2021