Kilts were banned in Scotland for decades following the Jacobite rebellion

[figheadair]

Here is the actual verbiage of the act:

"From and after the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, no Man or Boy, within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as Officers and Soldiers in His Majesty's Forces, shall, on any pretence whatsoever wear or put on the Clothes commonly called Highland Clothes (that is to say) the Plaid, Philabeg, or little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder Belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no Tartan, or party-coloured Plaid or Stuff shall be used for Great Coats, or for Upper Coats; and if any such Person shall presume after the first day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid Garments, or any part of them, every such Person so offending, being convicted thereof by the Oath of One or more credible Witness or Witnesses before any Court of Justiciary or any one or more Justices of the Peace for the Shire or Stewartry, or Judge Ordinary of the Place where such Offence shall be committed, shall suffer imprisonment, without Bail, during the space of Six Months, and no longer, and that being convicted for a second Offence before a Court of Justiciary, or at the Circuits, shall be liable to be transported to any of His Majesty's Plantations beyond the Seas, there to remain for the space of Seven Years."

From reading the act it appears not to be directed at women, girls or very young children as far as tartan goes. However, men and boys are not allowed to wear the kilt and the rest of the Highland garb and banned from wearing tartan coats. I suspect it is worded so the authorities can stretch it, if needed for a particular situation.

That's possible, but there is no evidence of anyone ever having been detained/arrested for possessing tartan, only for wearing Highland Clothes.

[MacRob46]

That's possible, but there is no evidence of anyone ever having been detained/arrested for possessing tartan, only for wearing Highland Clothes.

Didn't say there is. However, tartan is mentioned in the ACT.

[figheadair]

Didn't say there is. However, tartan is mentioned in the ACT.

But not in the Repeal. 🤔

[Me cousin Jack]

I’m so confused.

[Steve Ashton]

What adds to the confusion is that many people do not understand that there was not one single Jacobite rising. Many people would like there to be a single, simple answer to the risings but there were a lot of different reasons behind each of them.

We need to remember that Jacobitism was the name of the political movement in Great Britain and Ireland that aimed to restore the House of Stuart to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The movement was named after Jacobus, the Latin form of James.

The Jacobite period can be said to have begun in 1688 with "The Glorious Revolution" And continued until the collapse of 1745 rising.

There were separate risings in 1689 - 1715 - 1719 - 1745.
There were also aborted risings in 1708 - 1744 - 1759

As a result there were many enactments aimed at preventing further risings a such as "The Clan Act of 1715" - "The Habeas Corpus Suspension Act of 1715" - "The Disarming Act of 1716" - "Indemnity Act of 1717" - The "Disarming Act of 1745" - "Jurors Act of 1745" - "Act of Proscription of 1746" - "Dress Act of 1746" - "Heritable Jurisdiction Act of 1746" - "Sheriff's Act of 1746" - "Traitors Transported Act 1746" - "Treason Outlaweries Act 1748".

This whole issue is not a simple one. There is a lot of myth and misunderstanding. There was not a single history textbook date or event, but an ongoing progress over almost 60 years. You must also understand what was going on before and after to put it is historical perspective.

[MacRob46]

What adds to the confusion is that many people do not understand that there was not one single Jacobite rising. Many people would like there to be a single, simple answer to the risings but there were a lot of different reasons behind each of them.

We need to remember that Jacobitism was the name of the political movement in Great Britain and Ireland that aimed to restore the House of Stuart to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The movement was named after Jacobus, the Latin form of James.

The Jacobite period can be said to have begun in 1688 with "The Glorious Revolution" And continued until the collapse of 1745 rising.

There were separate risings in 1689 - 1715 - 1719 - 1745.
There were also aborted risings in 1708 - 1744 - 1759

As a result there were many enactments aimed at preventing further risings a such as "The Clan Act of 1715" - "The Habeas Corpus Suspension Act of 1715" - "The Disarming Act of 1716" - "Indemnity Act of 1717" - The "Disarming Act of 1745" - "Jurors Act of 1745" - "Act of Proscription of 1746" - "Dress Act of 1746" - "Heritable Jurisdiction Act of 1746" - "Sheriff's Act of 1746" - "Traitors Transported Act 1746" - "Treason Outlaweries Act 1748".

This whole issue is not a simple one. There is a lot of myth and misunderstanding. There was not a single history textbook date or event, but an ongoing progress over almost 60 years. You must also understand what was going on before and after to put it is historical perspective.

The major difference in the proscription of 1746 was it was to be permanent. The disarming act of 1716 had an expiration date so did not have much in the way of "teeth." And, there was not a blanket removal of power as in the Heritable Jurisdiction Act. There certainly was in the acts passed after the '45. But, as you point out, there is nothing simple about it.

[MacRob46]

But not in the Repeal. 🤔

I am not sure what point you are trying to make here but, mentioned in the repeal or not, tartan became available and was widely sold and worn once the act was lifted.

[figheadair]

I am not sure what point you are trying to make here but, mentioned in the repeal or not, tartan became available and was widely sold and worn once the act was lifted.

My point was, that tartan wasn't banned. It was also widely sold outside of the Highlands and even within the Highlands during Proscription but it is the case that after the Act was repealed the sale of tartan into the Highlands increased markedly.

[David Dubh]

And fortuitously it was repealed on exactly this date in 1782

[KnittedReenactor]

Speaking of restricting laws, are bagpipes still regarded as weapons of war in Britain? Or is that yet another misconception of history?