Lawnmarket is a historic street in Edinburgh that forms part of the Royal Mile, a famous stretch that runs from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile itself is a sequence of streets—Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate, and Abbey Strand—each with its own historical significance.

History of Lawnmarket: Lawnmarket was originally known as the "Land Market," where various goods, including wool and linen, were traded. Over time, the name evolved into Lawnmarket. This street, like the rest of the Royal Mile, is steeped in history and lined with significant buildings, many dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today, Lawnmarket is a bustling area, popular with tourists and home to various shops, restaurants, and historic sites, including the Museum of Edinburgh and the Tartan Weaving Mill. The Tartan Weaving Mill & Exhibition is located near the top of the Royal Mile and offers insights into the history and production of tartan, Scotland’s iconic fabric.

The Proscription and Repeal of the Tartan Ban: Lawnmarket also has a connection to the history of tartan and Highland dress through its proximity to locations that highlight this cultural heritage. After the Jacobite uprising in 1745, the British government sought to suppress Scottish Highland culture, which they associated with rebellion. This led to the Dress Act of 1746, a law that banned the wearing of Highland dress, including tartan, as a means of weakening the Scottish clans’ identity and autonomy. The act prohibited “the wearing of the Plaid, Philabeg, or Little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder-belts, or any Part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb.”

Repeal of the Dress Act: The Dress Act remained in force for 36 years, until it was repealed by the Act of Repeal in 1782. The repeal was largely due to changing political attitudes and the recognition of the Act’s ineffectiveness in quelling Scottish identity. The new act stated: "That from and after the 1st day of July, 1782, this Act and every clause, matter, and thing therein contained shall be and is hereby repealed and annulled to all intents and purposes."

The repeal of the Act allowed Scots to legally wear their traditional dress again, leading to a resurgence in the popularity of tartan and Highland attire, which has since become a symbol of Scottish national pride. This cultural revival was further popularized during the 19th century, particularly by King George IV’s visit to Scotland in 1822, where he donned full Highland dress, and later by Queen Victoria's romanticized view of Scotland.

Today, the Tartan Weaving Mill on Lawnmarket not only celebrates this vibrant part of Scottish heritage but also serves as a reminder of the resilience of Scottish culture, even in the face of past attempts to suppress it.