THE OUTLAWING OF THE TARTAN AND THE REPEAL

THE FOLLOWING IS THE DREADFUL AND HORRIBLE DETESTABLE OATH WHICH SCOTSMEN WERE FORCED TO ACCEPT AFTER COLLODEN (Copy of the text presented to Gene Grant by Robert Macintosh of Cupar, Fife, Scotland).

I SWEAR, AS I SHALL ANSWER TO GOD ON THE GREAT DAY OF JUDGEMENT, I HAVE NOT, AND SHALL NOT HAVE IN MY POSSESSION, ANY GUN, SWORD OR ARMS WHATSOEVER, AND NEVER USE ANY TARTAN, PLAID OR ANY PART OF THE HIGHLAND GARB AND, IF I DO SO, MAY I BE ACCURSED IN MY UNDERTAKINGS, FAMILY AND PROPERTY, MAY I NEVER SEE MY WIFE, NOR CHILDREN NOR FATHER, MOTHER OR RELATIONS: MAY I BE KILLED IN BATTLE AS A FUGITIVE COWARD AND LIE WITHOUT CHRISTIAN BURIAL IN A FOREIGN LAND, FAR FROM THE GRAVES OF MY FOREFATHERS AND KINDRED: MAY ALL OF THIS COME UPON ME IF I BREAK THIS OATH.

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSLATION OF THE GAELIC PROCLAMATION INTIMATING THE REPEAL IN 1782 OF THE ACT OF PARLIAMENT PASSED IN 1746 PROHIBITING THE WEARING OF HIGHLAND DRESS.

Listen Men,

THIS IS BRINGING BEFORE ALL THE SONS OF GAEL THAT THE KING AND PARLIAMENT OF BRITAIN HAVE FOREVER ABOLISHED THE ACT AGAINST THE HIGh. AND DRESS THAT CAME DOWN TO THE CLANS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE YEAR OF 1746. THIS MUST BRING JOY TO EVERY HIGHLAND HEART. YOU ARE NO LONGER BOUND DOWN TO THE UNMANLY DRESS OF THE LOWLANDER. THIS IS DECLARING EVERY MAN, YOUNG OR OLD, COMMONS OR GENTILE, THAT THEY MAY, AFTER THIS, PUT ON AND WEAR THE TREWS, THE LITTLE KILT, THE DOUBLET AND HOSE, ALONG WITH THE TARTAN KILT, WITHOUT FEAR OF THE LAW OF THE LAND OR THE JEALOUSY OF ENEMIES.

Thanks to Gene Grant of Clan Grant for the above information.