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Drefs fhould be repealed: Be it therefore enacted by the King's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.