The Disarming Act of 1715 was an Act of Parliament of Great Britain which was designed to curtail Jacobitism among clans in the Scottish Highlands after the Jacobite rising of 1715. The new law came into effect on 1 November 1716 and aimed at “securing the peace of the highlands in Scotland”.
That from and after the First Day of November, which was in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and sixteen, it should not be lawful for any Person or Persons (except such Persons as are therein mentioned and described) within the Shire of Dunbartain, on the North Side of the Water of Leven, Stirling on the North Side of the River of Forth, Perth, Kincardin, Aberdeen, Inverness, Nairn, Cromarty, Argyle, Forfar, Bamff, Sutherland, Caithness, Elgine, and Ross, to have in his or their Custody, Use, or Bear, Broad Sword or Target, Poignard, Whinger, or Durk, Side Pistol, Gun, or other warlike Weapon, otherwise than in the said Act was directed, under certain Penalties appointed by the said Act
The Disarming Act proved ineffectual and a subsequent act was passed in 1725 for “the more effective disarming of the highlands and better securing of peace.”
Major-General George Wade played a significant role in enforcing a new act passed in 1725 for “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”. He used this law to successfully confiscate a significant number of weapons.
