Dress Act 1746

Dress Act 1746

Act of Parliament
19 Geo. 2. c. 39
Dates
Royal assent	12 August 1746
Other legislation
Repealed by	Promissory Oaths Act 1871
Status: Repealed

The Dress Act 1746, also known as the Disclothing Act, was part of the

along with its veterans who had served in the military. The landed gentry were also exempt, being exempt from the entire Act of Proscription.

The law was repealed in 1782. By that time, kilts and tartans were no longer ordinary Highland wear, ended by enforcement of the law. Within two years, Highland aristocrats set up the

.

The act

Abolition and Proscription of the Highland Dress (

That from and after the first day of August, One thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven, no man or boy within that part of 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, Trowse, Shoulder-belts, or any part whatever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid of 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 garment or any part of them, every such person so offending ... For the first offence, shall be liable to be imprisoned for 6 months, and on the second offence, to be transported to any of His Majesty's plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for the space of seven years.

Repeal

Use of Highland Dress Act 1782
Act of Parliament
22 Geo. 3. c. 63
Dates
Royal assent	1 July 1782

On 1 July 1782, royal assent was given to Repeal of the Act Proscribing the Wearing of Highland Dress (

Listen Men. This is bringing before all the Sons of the Gael, the King and Parliament of Britain have forever abolished the act against the Highland Dress; which came down to the Clans from the beginning of the world to the year 1746. This must bring great joy to every Highland Heart. You are no longer bound down to the unmanly dress of the Lowlander. This is declaring to every Man, young and old, simple and gentle, that they may after this put on and wear the

Truis

, the Little Kilt, the Coat, and the Striped Hose, as also the Belted Plaid, without fear of the Law of the Realm or the spite of the enemies.

See also

• Jacobite rising of 1745
• Highland Clearances
• Highland Potato Famine
• Scottish national identity
• Wars of Scottish Independence

References

External links

• Act Against the Highland Dress