Outlander, s'more

[Dughlas mor]

One of those laws that was never very strictly enforced, like prohibition in the 20`s or marijuana in the 70`s.

[figheadair]

". . . 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. . ."

--http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/proscription_1747.htm

Am I misinterpreting this?

I believe that this has been widely misinterpreted for years. Here are my thoughts - Proscription - Tartan Ban: Fact or Fiction

[Downunder Kilt]

As you highlighted Freep "no tartan, or partly-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats;"

Read it again, it is not the tartan that is banned, it is tartan being used for great coats or for upper coats



Sorry Peter, Iwas was typing as you were posting- Snap

[freep]

As you highlighted Freep "no tartan, or partly-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats;"

Read it again, it is not the tartan that is banned, it is tartan being used for great coats or for upper coats

Could that line be interpreted as an expansion of the ban on kilts and trews, i.e. no kilts, plaids or trews--most nearly always tartan in 1747 I believe--are to be worn, and moreover, no tartan is to be worn anywhere else on the body by men. As there seems to be exceptions to this for women and Crown soldiers, perhaps it is an attempt to prevent a male demonstration of disloyalty and/or rebellion? Most certainly tartan cloth was identified as a particularly Highland item of dress.

Does not saying you mayn't wear tartan coats it would seem that with the other clothing bans is a de facto ban on tartan?

Much like saying, denim trowsers and shorts are banned. Also wearing of denim shirts and coats are banned. Seems like a denim ban to me.

[IsaacW]

Before argument/discussion continues on what is tartan, what is banned, etc., READ THE LINKED ARTICLE BY MR. MACDONALD!!!!
He knows what he is talking about and has outlined his thoughts quite well!

[freep]

Sorry freep but that's too simplistic a division and just not the case with regard to some dyes such as indigio. Analine dyes also fade, they just do it differently to the way natural dyes do.

I bow to your superior knowledge regarding dyes and the relative, erm, "fade-ability" thereof.

I do stand by the presumption that crofters and tacksmen would not have worn clothes as expensive as did the upper classes. Moreover, the lower classes would not be able to buy new clothing as often. This combined with spending in all likelihood far more time outdoors than would the gentry would mean more fading of less permanently dyed fabric, no?

[freep]

I've been a bit distracted and busy for the last few weeks--I married off my daughter last Saturday--and have finally found the time to re-read http://www.frockflicks.com/the-real-...nder-costumes/ and one of the things that struck me is the following:

"And quite frankly, I love the subtle rebellion against the popular misconceptions that Ms. Dresbach and her team snuck in in the form of different, if subtle tartans; the mixture of trews with kilts, etc. It shows that they know their research, know what the audience wants, but are still quietly going to get as much historical accuracy as Hollywood will allow in where they can."

[The Q]

I also Noticed this:
"Evicted Highlanders during the Clearances:
St. Kilda Parliament
Photograph by George Washington Wilson
late 19th century"

In 1930 The people of St Kilda ASKED to be evacuated from the Islands.
Earlier in 1852, 36 inhabitants left for Austrailia, by their own choice, while being asked to return by the land owner.
This was a result of Religious differences and the poor conditions, in one year 63 of the 65 children born had died!!

[figheadair]

I also Noticed this:
"Evicted Highlanders during the Clearances:
St. Kilda Parliament
Photograph by George Washington Wilson
late 19th century"

In 1930 The people of St Kilda ASKED to be evacuated from the Islands.
Earlier in 1852, 36 inhabitants left for Austrailia, by their own choice, while being asked to return by the land owner.
This was a result of Religious differences and the poor conditions, in one year 63 of the 65 children born had died!!

Going slightly off topic but the death rate amongst St. Kildean children was always high. Apparently new born children's umbilical cord/navel was anointed with Fulmer oil. See para four here.

[freep]

Off topic indeed. The reason the photo was included was to show styles of hats in Scotland. My guess is she imported the caption along with the picture. Simple enough mistake.
The photo does show different hat styles and she does note the difference in period.