State the restriction precisely
The 1747 restriction targeted civilian men and boys and specified Highland dress. It was not a blanket ban on every Scot or every tartan wearer; women and British soldiers were outside its scope. It ended in 1782.
From resistance to state symbol
Dress associated with Jacobitism and resistance was remade as military uniform, patriotic formal wear, royal ceremony, tourism and fashion cloth. Meaning changes with wearer and time.
A registered name is not proof of antiquity
Modern registries accept designs for individuals, schools and companies as well as clans. Check the sett name, registration date, earlier wear evidence and weaver separately.
Sources behind this article
External sites open in a new tab as evidence, not as a substitute for this article.
National Museums Scotland — Highland Style (opens in a new tab)National Museums Scotland — Jacobites and tartan (opens in a new tab)Scottish Register of Tartans (opens in a new tab)