AUGUST 1...A Day To Wear It!

**auld argonian** · 26th July 10, 06:23 PM

This is a heads up!

August 1 is the anniversary of the Act Of Proscription!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Proscription_1746

...the anniversary of the repeal, July 1, sort of snuck by and someone did call attention to it here on the day but I figgered that we should have a little advance warning on this one so that all of the "part timers" like me will remember to wear the kilt on that day.

So wear it! Read up on the Act and have the explanation ready when somebody asks, "...is it some kind of Scottish holiday?"...because it is.

Best

AA

**Bugbear** · 26th July 10, 09:08 PM

I have found evidence that the kilt was still worn in parts of the Highlands and Islands after Proscription and before the repeal... I suppose it would be historically correct, but only if it is an un-tailored garment. You will also need a wig or long hair, and probably tartan hose and a large blue bonnet.

I have the hair, but do not plan to wear a kilt.

**xman** · 26th July 10, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

I have found evidence that the kilt was still worn in parts of the Highlands and Islands after Proscription and before the repeal...

Don't tease now, we need more details. Links if you can provide them ... pleeeeease.

**Bugbear** · 26th July 10, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by xman

Don't tease now, we need more details. Links if you can provide them ... pleeeeease.

Interesting 1773 Description of Kilt

Includes long hair, wigs, and tartan hose.

**Jock Scot** · 26th July 10, 11:26 PM

I will try and take a closer eye on the Scots media to see if the date and event get a mention. I am not holding my breath though.

**figheadair** · 26th July 10, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by xman

Don't tease now, we need more details. Links if you can provide them ... pleeeeease.

There are two basic sources:

1. Portraitures of the period. These are of the gentry, mostly men but some women too. Many people will be familiar with these, some of which are amongst the most iconic of Highland Portraiture: The MacDonald Boys, Campbell of Lochlane and of course, Flora MacDonald etc, etc.

Interestingly, in addition to those serving in the army, the original Act, contains an exemption for gentlemen who have three or more servents, and women aren't mentioned at all and so legally were excluded. Thus, the Act only really affected the poor who were the very people least able to afford an alternative.

2. Records of those apprehended for wearing Highland Dress. These were mostly reports from army officers stationed in the Highlands. I've got some somewhere. I'll see if I can dig them out.

**Mael Coluim** · 27th July 10, 07:44 AM

Not to take away your reason for wearing the kilt, but I wouldn't be celebrating the date the banning of the kilt, tartan & bagpipes started. I think you would want to celebrate the day the Act of Proscription was repealed which was July 1st.

I'm off to the Celtic Music weekend at the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon and will be kilted for that reason.

**davedove** · 27th July 10, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

Not to take away your reason for wearing the kilt, but I wouldn't be celebrating the date the banning of the kilt, tartan & bagpipes started. I think you would want to celebrate the day the Act of Proscription was repealed which was July 1st.

I'm off to the Celtic Music weekend at the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon and will be kilted for that reason.

You wouldn't be celebrating the act. You would be wearing the kilt as a sign that the act was defeated, sort of an act of defiance.

**castledangerous** · 27th July 10, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

Not to take away your reason for wearing the kilt, but I wouldn't be celebrating the date the banning of the kilt, tartan & bagpipes started. I think you would want to celebrate the day the Act of Proscription was repealed which was July 1st.

I'm off to the Celtic Music weekend at the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon and will be kilted for that reason.

There is no bagpipe ban in the Act. This has been discussed ad infinitum elsewhere.

**auld argonian** · 27th July 10, 08:34 AM

My point in observing the proscription is that, in spite of it, the kilt endures.

I suppose that an argument could be made that the Proscription Act may have actually helped the kilt proliferate since people always seem to want to do things that they have been told they cannot do. (I only suggest that in a tongue-in-cheek way...please don't start challenging me to cite historical precedent on this because if you do, I'll just start making things up and you can go crazy trying to find the imaginary source material that I'll cook up.)

I take Jock's point that there may not be much of an observance of the event in the UK...sort of something that wasn't right, didn't work out and that no one is particularly interested in bringing up since it might create a brief but uncomfortable silence in the conversation.

Hey...just a simple suggestion for an historical excuse to wear the kilt on a given day...of course, every day is Kilt Day but why not mark those special days with a little more celebration than usual.

Best

AA