Scottish Blog

The Act of Proscription was an act passed to try and quell any possible uprising of the Highland Scots, after the Jacobite Uprising.

The act of Proscription was passed and came into effect on the 1st of August of 1746, its prime purpose was to try and assimilate “unruly” Scottish Highlanders into post Act of Union Great Britain. The Act of Prescription aimed at achieving these goals through the attempted dismantling of the Scottish Clan system, the confiscation of weapons, along with prohibiting the wearing of “Highland Dress’ such as tartans and kilts. Punishment for repeated offences against the Act of Proscription could be as severe as "liable to be transported to any of his Majesty's plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for the space of seven years".

There are many claims which extend the effects and restrictions that the Act of Prescription had on the Scottish, some claim that even bagpipes and teaching Gaelic was prohibited. Although there seems to be no indication this being true, although that is not to say that it might not have been enforced as such in some technically illegal moments.
The Dress Act section of the Act of Proscription was repealed on the 1st of July 1782. It allowed the wearing of “Highland Dress” which had previously been illegal. Specifically, the repeal was:

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.