Tartan Repeal

Repeal of the Act of Proscription of the Highland Garb.
Given the Royal Assent By King George III on Monday 1st July, 1782

An Act to repeal fo much of an Act, made in the nineteenth Year of King George the Second (for the more effectual difarming the Highlands in Scotland, and for the other Purpofes therein mentioned), as reftrains the Ufe of the Highland Drefs.

WHEREAS by an Act, made in the nineteenth Year of the Reign of his late Majefty King George the Second, intituled, An Act for the more effectual difarming the Highlands in Scotland, and for more effectually fecuring the Peace of the faid Highlands; and for reftraining the Ufe of the Highland Drefs; and for further indemnifying fuch Perfons as have acted in Defence of his Majefty's Perfon and Government, during the unnatural Rebellion; and for indemnifying the Judges and other Officers of the Court of Justiciary in Scotland, for not performing the Northern Circuit in May, one thousand feven hundred and forty-fix; and for obliging the Mafters and Teachers of private Schools in Scotland, and Chaplains, Tutors, and Governors of Children or Youth, to take the Oaths to his Majefty, his Heirs and Succeffors, and to Register the fame; it was, among other Things, enacted, That, from and after the firft day of August, one thoufand feven hundred and forty feven, no Man or Boy, within that Part of Great Britain called Scotland, other than fuch as should be employed as Officers and Soldiers in his Majefty's Forces, fhould, on any Pretence whatfoever, wear or put on the Clothes, commonly called Highland Clothes; (that is to fay,) The Plaid, Philebeg or Little Kilt, Trowfe, Shoulder belts, or any Part whatfoever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb, and that no Tartan, or Party-coloured Plaid or Stuff, fhould be, ufed for Great Coats or for Upper Coats, under the Penalties therein mentioned; and the Time appointed for laying afide the faid Highland Drefs was, in certain Cafes therein mentioned, further prolonged by feveral Acts, one made in the twentieth, and the other in the twenty-firft Year of the Reign of his faid late Majefty King George the Second: And whereas it is judged expedient that fo much of the Acts above mentioned as reftrains the Ufe of the Highland Drefs fhould be repealed: Be it therefore enacted by the King's moft Excellent Majefty, by and with the Advice and Confent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this prefent Parliament affembled, and by the Authority of the fame, That fo much of the Acts above-mentioned, or any other Act or Acts of Parliament, as refrtains the Ufe of the Highland Drefs, be, and the fame are hereby repealed.