#philibeg

[scotianostra]

On July 1st 1782 the Proscription Act was repealed.

The Proscription act came about after the 45 Uprising, the most disgraceful part of the act itself was the taking away the right to wear the tartan and the kilt, the act ran to 22 paragraphs itself but I wont bore you with it all, paragraph 16 covers this, it states that those guilty of the offence will be jailed for 6 months, for their first offence, the second offence would see them transported to the plantation colonies for 7 years.

“And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, no man or boy, within that part of Great Briton called Scotland, other than shall be employed as officers and soldiers in his Majesty’s forces, shall on any pretence whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland Clothes (that is to say) the plaid, philibeg, or little kilt, trowse, shoulder belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the highland garb; and that no TARTAN, or partly-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats; and if any such person shall presume, after the said first day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid garments or any part of them, every such person so offending, being convicted thereof by the oath of one or more credible witness or witnesses before any court of justiciary, or any one or more justices of the peace for the shire or stewartry, or judge ordinary of the place where such offence shall be committed, shall suffer imprisonment, without bail, during the space of six months, and no longer; and being convicted for a second offence before a court of justiciary or at the circuits, shall be liable to be transported to any of his Majesty’s plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for a space of seven years.”

When the act was repealed the following proclamation was made….

“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.”

[lacnunga]

Something something Alison saying about how strange it will be to wear the Cameron when she's married -> Ewen claiming the bed for Keith in their room by throwing his Cameron plaid upon it & Keith later donning it and his philibeg to escape. Something something Keith often referring to himself as having 'womanish' worries about his enemy's situation and being 'unmanned' (bearing in mind this was written in 1920s). Something something Ewen giving Keith a lock of his hair ('women like that sort of thing') and Keith giving him his signet ring like Ewen gave the prince's ring to Alison. Is this anything.

[p-isforpoetry]

"The Battle Of Sherramuir" by Robert Burns (read by Robert Carlyle)

"O cam ye here the fight to shun, Or herd the sheep wi' me, man? Or were ye at the Sherra-moor, Or did the battle see, man?" "I saw the battle, sair and teugh And reekin-red ran monie a sheugh; My heart, for fear, gae sough for sough, To hear the thuds, and see the cluds O clans frae woods in tartan duds Wha glaum'd at icingdoms three, man.

"The red-coat lads wi' black cockauds, To meet them were na slaw, man; They rush'd and push'd, and bluid outgush'd, And monie a bouk did fa', man! The great Argyle led on his files, I wat they glanc'd for twenty miles; They hough'd the clans like nine-pin kyles, They hack'd and hash'd, while braid-swords clashed, And thro they dash'd, and hew'd and smash'd, Till fey men died awa, man.

"But had ye seen the philibegs, And skyrin tartan trews, man; When in the teeth they daur'd our Whigs, And Covenant trueblues, man! In lines extended lang and large, When baig'nets o'erpower'd the targe, And thousands hasten'd to the charge, Wi' Highland wrath and frac the sheath Drew blades o' death, till, out o' breath. They fled like frightened dows, man!"

"O, how Deil, Tam, can that be true? The chase gaed frae the north, man! I saw mysel, they did pursue The horseman back to Forth, man: And at Dunblane, in my ain sight, They took the brig wi a' their might And straught to Stirling wing'd their flight; But, cursed lot! the gates were shut, And monie a huntit poor red-coat, For fear amaist did swarf, man!"

My sister Kate came up the gate Wi' crowdie unto me, man: She swoor she saw some rebels run To Perth and to Dundee, man! Their left-hand general had nae skill; The Angus lads had nae good will That day their neebors' bluid to spill; For fear, by foes, that they should lose Their cogs o brose; they scar'd at blows, And hameward fast did flee, man.

"They've lost some gallant gentlemen, Amang the Highland clans, man! I fear my Lord Panmure is slain, Or in his en'mies' hands, man. Now wad ye sing this double flight, Some fell for wrang, and some for right, But monie bade the world guid-night; Say, pell and mell, wi' muskets' knell How Tories feil, and Whigs to Hell Flew off in frightened bands, man!"

[contemplatingoutlander]

HISTORICAL OUTLANDER: So how was the former Jacobite Jamie Fraser able to openly wear his kilt in North Carolina given the Act of Proscription of 1747?

I admit to having been confused for a while during Outlander Episode 5x01, when Jamie Fraser, resplendent in his plaid, called on settlers of the back country to stand by his side in the militia he was assembling.

After all, the Act of Proscription of 1747 banned the wearing of the plaid by Scottish men or boys: 

"no man or boy, within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, other than shall be employed as officers and soldiers in his Majesty's forces, shall on any pretence whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland Clothes (that is to say) the plaid, philibeg, or little kilt, trowse, shoulder belts, or any part whatsoever 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 for upper coats . . . ." [emphasis added]

It also banned the possession of weapons by anyone in the Highlands and was a renewal (with greater penalties) of the Disarming Act of 1716 which stated:

“...it should not be lawful for any person or persons ... to have in his or their custody... broad sword or target, poignard, whinger, or durk, side pistol, gun, or other warlike weapon.”

Given that the Act of Proscription was in effect until 1782, I found myself being confused that Jamie wasn’t arrested as he walked out in front of the assembled crowd wearing the plaid. After all, the Redcoats were there and they had to know the plaid was banned.

And Lord John Grey, the former governor of Ardsmuir Prison was there, and he knew that his former prisoners could face dire consequences if they wore the plaid.

But no one spoke up against Jamie’s wearing his kilt. In fact everyone (including the Redcoats and Lord John) looked in awe of Jamie Fraser as he spoke.

So what was going on?

Well, it turns out, according to Robbie MacNiven in After Culloden: from rebels to Redcoats:

“Highlanders who took the King’s shilling and donned the red coat could again carry their swords and muskets and wear the plaid and bonnet, recapturing the essence of their warlike traditions.”

So, once Jamie took his commission from Governor Tryon, he was able to wear the plaid and to carry arms legally.

Being a warrior was important to many Highlanders and so it isn’t surprising that many chose to wear the red coat to continue that way of life (and to feed themselves and their families after the decimation of the Highlands after Culloden). In fact it turns out that the real life Simon Fraser (son of Lord Lovat and Jamie’s half-uncle in the Outlander universe) is a well known example of a Jacobite who survived the battle of Culloden but who later fought for the Crown.

According to Robbie MacNiven:

“When the British government authorised a recruitment drive amongst the clans that had once defied it, Simon Fraser was the first to answer the call. Disaffected, destitute Highlander youths rallied to their clansman’s banner – 800 in all. These men were quickly organised into the 78th Highland Regiment, also known as Fraser’s Highlanders.

“Simon Fraser and his regiment, along with its twin, the 77th or Montgomery’s Highlanders, served at the forefront of the war in America, and were present at James Wolfe’s defining victory on the Plains of Abraham in 1759.

“Nor did their service end with Britain’s triumph. When war again flared in the colonies in 1775, the regiment was reinstated, and went on to serve again with distinction. By this point, Fraser had gone full circle, from rebel to government soldier serving to suppress rebels.”

In many ways, the real Simon Fraser was in a similar position (a former Jacobite rebel attempting to “suppress” American rebels) to the one we find Jamie in at the beginning of Season 5.

However, for Jamie, the conflict of wearing the red coat is far greater than it was for his half-uncle. We shall see how that conflict unfolds as Season 5 continues.

Posted 02.24.20 at 12:22 pm EST; updated 02.24.20 at 10:25 pm EST

____________________

Jamie in kilt photo source (before edits); Scottish Redcoat warrior illustration source; gifs made directly from Starz Outlander episode 5x01

[scotianostra]

The Sherramuir Fight.

O, cam ye here the fight to shun Or herd the sheep wi' me, man? Or were ye at the Sherramuir Or did the battle see, man? I saw the battle, sair and teugh And reekin-red ran many a sheugh My heart for fear gae sough for sough To hear the thuds, and see the cluds O' clans frae woods in tartan duds Wha glaum'd at kingdoms three, man

Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dan Hey dum a-hidder um hey dan Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dandy Hey dum hidder dum hey dan!

The red-coat lads wi' black cockades Did meet them when they slaw, man They rushed and pushed and blood outgushed And many a bouk did fall, man! The great Argyle led on his files I wat they glanc'd for twenty miles They hough'd the clans like nine-pin kyles They hacked and hash'd, while broadswords clash'd Through they dashed, and hewed and smashed Till fey men died awa, man

Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dan Hey dum a-hidder um hey dan Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dandy Hey dum hidder dum hey dan!

Had you seen the philibegs And skyrin tartan trews, man When in the teeth they daur'd our Whigs And Covenant trueblues, man! Lines extended lang and large Bayonets o'erpower'd the targe Thousands hasten'd tae the charge Wi' Hieland wrath they frae the sheath Drew blades o' death, till oot o' breath They fled like frighted dows, man

Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dan Hey dum a-hidder um hey dan Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dandy Hey dum hidder dum hey dan!

They lost some gallant gentlemen Among the Hieland clans, man! I fear my Lord Panmure is slain Or in his enemies' hands, man Wad ye sing this double flight Some died for wrang, and some for right Many bade the world goodnight Sae pell, sae mell, wi' muskets' knell Tories fell, and Whigs to Hell Flew off in frighted bands, man

Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dan Hey dum a-hidder um hey dan Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dandy Hey dum hidder dum hey dan!

Ah, Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dan Hey dum a-hidder um hey dan Hey dum a-hidder dum a hey dum dandy Hey dum hidder dum hey dan!

[scotianostra]

On July 1st 1782 the Proscription Act was repealed.

The Proscription act came about after the 45 Uprising, the most disgraceful part of the act itself was the taking away the right to wear the tartan and the kilt, the act ran to 22 paragraphs itself but I wont bore you with it all, paragraph 16 covers this, it states that those guilty of the offence will be jailed for 6 months, for their first offence, the second offence would see them transported to the plantation colonies for 7 years.

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, no man or boy, within that part of Great Briton called Scotland, other than shall be employed as officers and soldiers in his Majesty's forces, shall on any pretence whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland Clothes (that is to say) the plaid, philibeg, or little kilt, trowse, shoulder belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the highland garb; and that no TARTAN, or partly-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats; and if any such person shall presume, after the said first day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid garments or any part of them, every such person so offending, being convicted thereof by the oath of one or more credible witness or witnesses before any court of justiciary, or any one or more justices of the peace for the shire or stewartry, or judge ordinary of the place where such offence shall be committed, shall suffer imprisonment, without bail, during the space of six months, and no longer; and being convicted for a second offence before a court of justiciary or at the circuits, shall be liable to be transported to any of his Majesty's plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for a space of seven years."

When the act was repealed the following proclamation was made....

"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."

[scotianostra]

Today's first anniversary is about one of our most popular Folk singer-songwriters.

25th June 1936 saw the birth of Roy Williamson.

Roy Murdoch Buchanan Williamson was born in Edinburgh, the son of Archibald and Agnes Williamson. From a very well-to-do family of Aberdeen solicitors, Archibald had moved to the capital, where he soon established himself as a prominent advocate who was tipped to become a King’s Counsel. His mother was Agnes Cumming, the daughter of a master haberdasher from Haddington. Since Agnes was a talented pianist I think we can safely assume her son’s musical gifts probably came from her, as Archibald was described as a serious man and worked hard with very little time to play with his sons, Roy and his 1 year older brother Robert.

While the blend of creative genes and intellectual genes ultimately proved successful in the embodiment of Roy and his brother Robert, it did not serve a good combination for a happy marriage. Neither Robert nor Roy have ever commented much on their childhood, but sources say the household was a strained one, with tension and arguments between the husband and wife, and the boys relying on each other and the servants for love and affection. At age 8, the boys would lose his father, and it would not be until almost 30 years later that they would learn the truth. While the 1944 obituaries for Archibald Williamson that were carried in all the leading Scottish papers praised the achievements of the 45-year-old advocate, they delicately avoided the cause of death, describing it as “sudden” and “unexpected”, and it was not until the 1970s when Roy's mother died that he learned the cause of death was coal gas poisoning,at the time, the most common form of suicide in the at the time.

Although the marriage was strained Archibal's death had had a profound effect on Agnes, who suffered a nervous breakdown and was confined to a psychiatric hospital for almost a year.

Cared for by neighbours and relatives in Aberdeen during this period, it would be a short time before they were sent to Aberlour, a preparatory school for Gordonstoun, the boarding school in Moray. Despite having asthsma, Roy threw himself into sports, which was easily done as Gordonstoun largely emphasised outdoor activities and this time period would see him develop into a decent athlete who, while a student, was a winger for the Edinburgh Wanderers rugby side.

Although his mother was by now back in residence, Roy and Robert recalled that “our mother phoned up the school a day before we were due to break up for the holidays to say she couldn’t have us. Whether she couldn’t cope, or whether she wanted to push responsibility on to the school, I don’t know."

With no other family members willing or able to take the boys, their "family" memories of holidays were being "sent back to our old prep school and the headmaster took us in for Christmas and on another occasion we were put into the care of a young German master, and off we went to the Bannavil Arms in Newtonmore to spend Christmas and New Year there.”

While one brother seemed to take this in stride, Roy handled the situation by building a wall between his mother and himself, which never came down. When, after a brief spell teaching seamanship at Burghead, Roy became a student at Edinburgh College of Art, he moved into lodgings rather than stay at home. His mother reciprocated by refusing to attend his wedding in 1958, and when she died Williamson wasn’t among the mourners at her funeral.

While still a student, Roy met Violet Thomson, a fellow art student working in the laundry when he came to wash his clothes. They dated briefly and were still students when they married in Inverness. By now, as young art students, Roy and Vi, as she was known were two of the many of a generation that was entering into a scene that would change not only their lives, but the world's, the swinging sixties.

Casting off the conventions of Gordonstoun Roy and his wife’s lifestyle was becoming increasingly bohemian "generation of love and peace" penetrated Edinburgh’s Presbyterian defences. They embraced the times, and not even the very quick arrival of two daughters, Karen and Sheena prevented the Williamsons’ home from becoming a popular venue for parties. Their parties were frequented by such people as Marianne Faithfull and her date "Mick Jagger". As well, there was a particularly strong Irish influence, and Roy became great friends with The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers and, later, Finbar Furey. It was listening to their passion for Ireland, at this heartfelt time when music reflected the soul, Williamson began to think more deeply about his own feelings for Scotland.

From an early age, with his mother having taken refuge in her piano, Roy had been exposed to and interested in music and one of the few things Agnes Williamson had done with her boys was to regularly take them to concerts at the Usher Hall.

In this interest Roy had also found an ally in Ronnie Browne. Although they directly opposed each other on the rugby field, as Browne was also a winger for Edinburgh rivals Boroughmuir, they were in the same art classes. With another friend, guitarist Bill Smith, the three formed the Corrie Folk Trio, they would later add singer Paddie Bell, but, circumstances would lead to arguments and by 1966 Williamson and Browne forged out on their own.

With the folk music scene in Scotland flourishing, adding their talent it was no surprise that within a short time the Corries were a hit. By now no longer art students, but teachers, with Roy Williamson at Liberton High School and Browne teaching in Musselburgh they found it increasingly hard to meet the demands of their on the road tour career and be present everyday at their day jobs. Nightly gigs along with a day job soon proved impossible and Williamson and Browne resolved to organise and run their own concert tours. Now, also appearing on television, with Browne's wife, an accountant, taking care of the business side, the Corries became an increasingly popular group as well as a successful business venture. Although the Corries gave the impression of performing easily and "off the cuff", rehearsals were meticulous and nothing was left to chance.

The Corries were a phenomenal success and most people can tell the story from here. Roy, talented but private, was in fact, the antithesis of his partner Browne, and off stage, they did not coexist. While oddly, on the surface, they had so much in common, with shared passions for painting, music, Scotland and rugby to this day Browne concedes he knows very little about Williamson’s life outwith The Corries, which is an astounding admission to make of his musical and business partner of 30 years.

Roy Williamson carried the spirit of the 60's for the rest of his life, however, his wife Vi did not, and the decade ended, so did the marriage. While a simple and pure folk singer on stage, Roy embraced the lifestyle of "wine, women and song" and partied as hard as he worked. Where Browne favoured financial and emotional security, ultimately being married for more than 50 years, Roy Williamson eschewed material possessions and had a much more nonchalant view about relationships. He would also have several serious dalliances in the next decade.

In 1980, Williamson would enter into a relationship which seemed to be detrimental to him and became a concern for all around him. With Nicky van Hurck, from Holland, he moved from Edinburgh to Forres, buying Mayfield, a large old stone house with a garden. Whether due to Nicky’s influence or not Williamson became more reclusive and he spent time painting seascapes, but did tour with Browne once a year.

It was during the Corrie's 1989 tour that Williamson's health started to decline. Diagnosed with a brain tumour, and having an unsuccessful surgery in January 1990, Roy Williamson died at the age of 54. I always feel a sense of sadness when someone who, like Roy, was a big part of my growing up, my mum was a big fan and her and her pal Nicky Bruce used to go see the Corries, I was never so lucky myself but am glad of Youtube so I can listen to them.

Let's finish the post with an upbeat tune, Bannockburn anniversary  has just passed and this is the Corries doing a comedy song, the lyrics of which come from the late great Matt McGinn. The song might not be exactly correct history wise, but it's guid craic.

Bannockburn

In 1314, the twenty-fourth of Jue King Eddie says "We're ready now to steal the stone of Scone" He brought his biggest army but discovered he'd backed a duece At Bannockburn he found that he was up against a Bruce cho: Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw Well, we had a bowl of porridge and a wee bit pinch of salt We had a dram of whisky and it was the finest malt We each wore a tammy and we wore the philibegs Eddie was in terror when he seen the hairy legs Now poor King Edward, nearly had a fit When he seen his cavalry falling doon a pit His men looked up from the trap that Bruce had built And they were shocked to find out what was worn beneath the kilt He sent for his archers, a group of country folk They erred and they purred, what a funny way they spoke With those archers Eddie had a go But they were as effective as the ones on radio On the fastest horse that you ever saw King Eddie went a-racing o'er the Border and awa He was fond of Scotland, but he never did return He didn't like the welcome that he got at Bannockburn

[scotianostra]

August 1st 1747 saw the Proscription Act introduced, banning the “Highland Garb” and the carrying of weapons. The penalty for a first offence was six months in jail and a second offence resulted in transportation for seven years.

To understand the act you have to first look at the previous uprisings, the 1715 saw the Disarming Act, which was ineffectual as the vast majority of the arms seized or handed in were rusted or unused, their real armouries were hidden fro the redcoats. Another short lived uprising in 1719 saw the introduction of the 1725 Disarming act “An act for the more effectual disarming the highlands in that part of Great Britain called Scotland; and for the better securing the peace and quiet of that part of the kingdom‘ This time General Wade led the movement and was more successful in seizing weapon but still there were weapons spirited away from the government’s prying eyes and not all were taken from the Highlanders, and those outwith the Highlands too, as it wasn’t just their the act was enforced.

And so to the ‘45. The act afterwards again was about disarming the clans but it went further than the previous laws, it also meant you could not wear the tartan ‘That from and after the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, no man or boy, within that part of Great Briton called Scotland, other than shall be employed as officers and soldiers in his Majesty’s forces, shall on any pretence whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland Clothes (that is to say) the plaid, philibeg, or little kilt, trowse, shoulder belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the highland garb; and that no tartan, or partly-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats’ Anyone found breaking these rules could be imprisoned for six months, and, if they were caught again, they could be sent to a plantation overseas for seven years.”

Excluded were soldiers of the realm and the gentry, oh and you may have noticed women weren’t mentioned! The act itself was more about banning the highland dress rather than the tartan, although in some cases there is no doubt over zealous lawmen would set it down by the letter of the law as it was written During the time that Proscription was in effect, rumours abounded about methods by which Highlanders tried to retain their sense of clan identity – the most well-known in modern times being the ritual of the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan. According to the legend, Highlanders hid pieces of tartan and brought them to church to be secretly blessed at a particular point in the service. The Highlanders would touch the hidden fabric at a pre-appointed time during the benediction, thus rededicating themselves to God and their Scottish heritage. This ritual is now once again popular, especially in among the diaspora populations of North America, although of course this is no longer performed in secret and instead is seen as a proud way to publicly declare your heritage, while remembering the difficulties faced by previous generations.

The ban was eventually lifted in 1782, due to the effects of the Clearances beginning to take hold in de-populating the Highlands, and because Highland clothing and tartan was no longer seen as a threat. However, within a couple of years, Highland landowners set up Societies with aims including promotion of “the general use of the ancient Highland dress”. Walter Scott was instrumental in encouraging lowlanders to show pride, it was about this time that specific tartans for Clans came about, before this the tartans more or less covered the regions rather than a particular clan, although the two did overlap so it is not always the case.

I sometimes hear people talking disparagingly about how the kilt should be worn, to me there is no set way, wear it how you want, I wear mine with walking boots and either long kilt socks or without, sometimes a Ghillie shirt but not always, others go on about wearing your clan tartan etc, as I said earlier not all tartans wear about your family, so wear a tartan you like, ignore what the snobs say, wear it to be a proud Scot or to remember your heritage, wear it whenever you want, if anyone tells you otherwise they are as bad as those who on this day in 1746 told a Nation that you could not wear your colours, be Proud to be Scottish.

[scotianostra]

A wee bit light hearted fun about Bannockburn from Roy and Ronnie......

In 1314, the twenty-fourth of June King Eddie says "We're ready now to steal the stone of Scone" He brought his biggest army but discovered he'd backed a duece At Bannockburn he found that he was up against a Bruce

Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw

Well, we had a bowl of porridge and a wee bit pinch of salt We had a dram of whisky and it was the finest malt We each wore a tammy and we wore the philibegs Eddie was in terror when he seen the hairy legs

Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw

Now poor King Edward, nearly had a fit When he seen his cavalry falling doon a pit His men looked up from the trap that Bruce had built And they were shocked to find out what was worn beneath the kilt

Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw

He sent for his archers, a group of country folk They erred and they purred, what a funny way they spoke With those archers Eddie had a go But they were as effective as the ones on radio

Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw

On the fastest horse that you ever saw King Eddie went a-racing o'er the Border and awa He was fond of Scotland, but he never did return He didn't like the welcome that he got at Bannockburn.

Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw

[scotianostra]

August 1 1747 saw the Proscription Act introduced, banning the “Highland Garb” and the carrying of weapons. The penalty for a first offence was six months in jail and a second offence resulted in transportation for seven years.

To understand the act you have to first look at the previous uprisings, the 1715 saw the Disarming Act, which was ineffectual as the vast majority of the arms seized or handed in were rusted or unused, their real armouries were hidden fro the redcoats. Another short lived uprising in 1719 saw the introduction of the 1725 Disarming act "An act for the more effectual disarming the highlands in that part of Great Britain called Scotland; and for the better securing the peace and quiet of that part of the kingdom‘ This time General Wade led the movement and was more successful in seizing weapon but still there were weapons spirited away from the government's prying eyes and not all were taken from the Highlanders, and those outwith the Highlands too, as it wasn't just their the act was enforced.

And so to the '45. The act afterwards again was about disarming the clans but it went further than the previous laws, it also meant you could not wear the tartan ‘That from and after the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, no man or boy, within that part of Great Briton called Scotland, other than shall be employed as officers and soldiers in his Majesty’s forces, shall on any pretence whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland Clothes (that is to say) the plaid, philibeg, or little kilt, trowse, shoulder belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the highland garb; and that no tartan, or partly-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for great coats, or for upper coats’ Anyone found breaking these rules could be imprisoned for six months, and, if they were caught again, they could be sent to a plantation overseas for seven years."

Excluded were soldiers of the realm and the gentry, oh and you may have noticed women weren't mentioned! The act itself was more about banning the highland dress rather than the tartan, although in some cases there is no doubt over zealous lawmen would set it down by the letter of the law as it was written

During the time that Proscription was in effect, rumours abounded about methods by which Highlanders tried to retain their sense of clan identity – the most well-known in modern times being the ritual of the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan. According to the legend, Highlanders hid pieces of tartan and brought them to church to be secretly blessed at a particular point in the service. The Highlanders would touch the hidden fabric at a pre-appointed time during the benediction, thus rededicating themselves to God and their Scottish heritage. This ritual is now once again popular, especially in among the diaspora populations of North America, although of course this is no longer performed in secret and instead is seen as a proud way to publicly declare your heritage, while remembering the difficulties faced by previous generations.

The ban was eventually lifted in 1782, due to the effects of the Clearances beginning to take hold in de-populating the Highlands, and because Highland clothing and tartan was no longer seen as a threat. However, within a couple of years, Highland landowners set up Societies with aims including promotion of “the general use of the ancient Highland dress”. Walter Scott was instrumental in encouraging lowlanders to show pride, it was about this time that specific tartans for Clans came about, before this the tartans more or less covered the regions rather than a particular clan, although the two did overlap so it is not always the case.

I sometimes hear people talking disparagingly about how the kilt should be worn, to me there is no set way, wear it how you want, I wear mine with walking boots and either long kilt socks or without, sometimes a Ghillie shirt but not always, others go on about wearing your clan tartan etc, as I said earlier not all tartans wear about your family, so wear a tartan you like, ignore what the snobs say, wear it to be a proud Scot or to remember your heritage, wear it whenever you want, if anyone tells you otherwise they are as bad as those who on this day in 1746 told a Nation that you could not wear your colours, be Proud to be Scottish.

[scotianostra]

A wee bit historically incorrect, but a great fun song from the Corries, adapted from the American song  Battle of New Orleans by written by Jimmy Driftwood about the 1815 battle during the American war of Independence

In 1314, the twenty-fourth of June King Eddie says "We're ready now to steal the stone of Scone" He brought his biggest army but discovered he'd backed a duece At Bannockburn he found that he was up against a Bruce Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw Well, we had a bowl of porridge and a wee bit pinch of salt We had a dram of whisky and it was the finest malt We each wore a tammy and we wore the philibegs Eddie was in terror when he seen the hairy legs Now poor King Edward, nearly had a fit When he seen his cavalry falling doon a pit His men looked up from the trap that Bruce had built And they were shocked to find out what was worn beneath the kilt

Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw   

He sent for his archers, a group of country folk They erred and they purred, what a funny way they spoke With those archers Eddie had a go But they were as effective as the ones on radio On the fastest horse that you ever saw King Eddie went a-racing o'er the Border and awa He was fond of Scotland, but he never did return He didn't like the welcome that he got at Bannockburn

Well, we raised our pipes and the English kept a-coming But they werena quite so happy when we gie'd the pipes a blaw Struck once more, they began a-running Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craw 

Ah!    Ready steady Eddie, go, it's time to shoot the craaaaw!!!