July 1st sees the 220th anniversary of the repealing of the Act of Parliament (British) that made it punishable with SEVEN YEARS TRANSPORTATION for wearing the TARTAN.

Below is reprinted the Act of Proscription (1747) and the Repeal Proclamation of 1782. That is almost two generations where the TARTAN, Pipes etc. were not a normal part of life in Scotland.

On the 1st of July 2002 we are encouraging as many Scots and their descendants to wear something TARTAN.

That from and after the First Day of August 1747, no man or boy within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as Officers and Soldiers of His Majesty's Forces, shall on any pretext whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes, commonly called Highland clothes (that is to say) the Plaid, Philabeg, or little kilt, Trowes, Shoulder-Belts, or any part whatever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for Great coats or upper coats, and if any such person shall presume after the first said day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid garments or any part of them, every person so offending.... shall be liable to be transported to any of His Majesty's plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for the space of seven years.

The Act of Abolition was repealed by the Government obtaining the King's assention on 1st July 1782. In the North there was great rejoicing. A proclamation was issued in Gaelic and English, which announced as follows:

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.

What is it, how do we interpret it and does it matter?

There are many forms of history, ancient, modern, medieval, romantic, written by the victor, written by the vanquished, written by one religious order, written by a second or third religious order, translated from one language to another. Evolving, oral, and forgotten.

Anything that happened yesterday, last week, or anytime in the past is history, and today and next week we will have made history by the time next month comes around therefore it is important that when we assess history we endeavour to collect all the facts and not try to rewrite history with a flavour other than the TRUTH.

Then I suppose it comes down to a matter of the individual’s interpretation of the truth. One of the most common problem areas in Scottish History is what has become to be known as the shortbread biscuit tin version of Scottish History. Authors such as Sir Walter Scott, and other romantic novelists have tended to create a version of history that is most PLEASING to the reader. Nigel Tranter endeavoured to paint a picture in the minds eye of what was taking place at the time and again this is coloured by his view and interpretation of history much of which at that time was not written and if it was it was written in either ancient Latin, French or old Scots.

A considerable amount of Scotland's written history was taken away from official archives during the various visits made by conquering armies from the South. However, declarations, laws, treaties etc., have survived and it is without doubt that all of these FACTS of history be acknowledged and celebrated in whatever way one thinks is appropriate.

I wear my kilt on every occasion possible and that may be because of my Scottish heritage in that having spent so much in its purchase I cannot see any reason why it should hang in the wardrobe unworn. This brings me to the celebration of Tartan Day.

There are two dates currently used to celebrate Tartan Day - 6th April in North America and July 1st in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

The significance of the 6th April 1320 relates to the Declaration of Arbroath when 6 years after Bannockburn 100 men gathered at Arbroath to write a Declaration of their loyalty to Scotland and forward this to the Pope in Italy to have him support their case for Independence. Some 8 years later 1328 Edward III of England acknowledging that Scotland was an Independent Nation and that Bruce was the Independent King of Scotland signed the Treaty of Northampton. Bruce died a year later.

The significance of the 1st July is the fact that on the 1st July 1782 an Act was passed called the Repeal Proclamation. This Act repealed the Act of Proscription 1747 which made it an offence to wear tartan amongst other things. Many believe the significance of this anniversary acknowledges this Act as having far greater relevance to Tartan and therefore the International promotion of a Tartan Day of recognition and celebration.

By celebrating Tartan Day on the 1st July we can also acknowledge the restoration of the Scottish Parliament took place on the 1st July 1999.

Australia has just gone through a process of a referendum to ascertain if we were to become a Republic. Had this Referendum been successful would we now call the day of the Referendum Australia Day, the day we became an Independent Nation Australia Day, the day we became a Federation in 1901 or the day we currently call Australia Day. January 26th when the First Fleet landed (Not a day the Aboriginal people of Australia are inclined to celebrate)???

When deciding on a day for Celebration the most appropriate day should be chosen for the most relevant reason.

John Clelland Hocknull J.P. (Qual)
Founder Clan Cleland Society
Past President of Australian-Scottish Community (Qld) Inc.