Spare a Thought this Tartan Day

[An t-Ileach]

Spare a thought this Tartan Day, 6 April, and again on 1 August, for all those who suffered for the wearing of the kilt as this is a special year. It's the 260th Anniversary of the Banning of the Tartan that lasted 35 years (until Montrose got it repealed) and caused untold hardship and distress in the Highlands and Islands. Not only was the tartan banned but also the kilt, and trews and great coats in tartan too. Here's the relevant passage from the Act:

"...And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, no man or boy, within that part of Great Briton called Scotland, other than 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, philibeg, or little kilt, trowse, shoulder belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the highland garb; and that no tartan, or partly-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats; and 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 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 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 a space of seven years...".

[BEEDEE]

Thanks you for this. I have added it to the Scottish Heritage Society of Eastern NC website and sent it to the newsletter editor and well as out clan newsletter editor.

Brian