The Dress Act of 1746

The Dress Act 1746 was part of the Act of Proscription which came into force on 1 August 174[7] and made wearing "the Highland Dress" including tartan or a kilt illegal in Scotland as well as reiterating the Disarming Act. The Jacobite Risings between 1689 and 1746 found their most effective support amongst the Scottish clans, and this act was part of a series of measures attempting to bring the warrior clans under government control. An exemption allowed the kilt to be worn in the army, continuing the tradition established by the Black Watch regiment. The law was repealed in 1782.

From the always interesting Vintage Tartan FB page. The direct link to the piece is here.

The Scottish Tartan Authority has more on the Dress Act of 1746 here.

The tartan shown above is the St Ninian tartan commissioned by the Scottish parliament for the visit of Pope Benedict to Scotland.   More here.