Banning of the Kilt in 1746

[An t-Ileach]

In 7 months time, it will be the 260th Anniversary of the Act banning the kilt and all items of Highland Dress (the actual ban became effective a year later). Time enough to think about joining in whatever is going to be done (if anything) to commemorate this?



ABOLITION AND PROSCRIPTION OF THE HIGHLAND DRESS

19 GEORGE 11, CHAP. 39, SEC. 17, 1746

'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 Britain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as Officers and Soldiers in His Majesty's Forces, shall, on any pretext whatever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland clothes (that is to say) the Plaid, Philabeg, or little Kilt, Trouse, Shoulder-belts, or any part whatever 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 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......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'.

[Prester John]

Count me in.

[macwilkin]

I plan on mentioning the anniversary of the Act in a seminar I'm giving at the Missouri Tartan Day Festivities in April '06 on district tartans.

Cheers,

Todd

[Rab Gordon]

Quite ironic that our new 'Scottish Parliament' is now talking about a sword and knife ban. I just hope that there's exemptions for Sgian Dubhs, Dirks and Claymores.

Rab

[Blu (Ontario)]

Or alternatively, do something to commemorate the repeal. Even better, how about both!

Quite ironic that our new 'Scottish Parliament' is now talking about a sword and knife ban. I just hope that there's exemptions for Sgian Dubhs, Dirks and Claymores. Rab

(slightly OT) Is this proposed to rectify a particular problem??


blu

[Rab Gordon]

(slightly OT) Is this proposed to rectify a particular problem??
blu

Just the weegie neds chibbing each other.
or to translate; There's a very high rate a stabbings in SW Central Scotland
Usual story, the politicians want to be seen to be doing something and bannings seems a popular move - how little things have changed since the 18th century. At least they no longer classify the bagpipes as a weapon of war.

Rab

[GlassMan]

(slightly OT) Is this proposed to rectify a particular problem??


blu

As a historian we have a habit of assuming that if a law is passed it is meant to address an existing problem in the society.

However, looking at modern legislatures I often question that view. They seem to be more interested in crafting laws which appeal to an particular interest group or that allow them to grand-stand instead of actually facing the problems of the day.

Although the assumption that laws reflect actual problems does make reading the Medieval Confessionals interesting. Those were books meant as manuals for priests trying to determine what penance to give for any given sin. Many of them have over 50% of their text covering sex with farm animals! It's funny to think that it really mattered how many goats were involved but somehow I think it had more to do with the filthy imagination of the monastic authors.

[Big Paul]

I'm in!

[Schultz]

It's funny to think that it really mattered how many goats were involved but somehow I think it had more to do with the filthy imagination of the monastic authors.

I'm sure the repressed imagination of the monastic authors had something to do with it, but those manuals were written during the height of Scholasticism, whereby everything was classified, stamped, and filed, so to speak.

Everything, even sex with farm animals...and how many.

[GlassMan]

The ones I'm referring to are actually much older than the height of scholasticism. I primarily studied the time from 600 to 1100 AD.