Events from the year 1797 in Scotland.
Incumbents
Law officers Lord Advocate – Robert Dundas of Arniston Solicitor General for Scotland – Robert Blair
Judiciary Lord President of the Court of Session – Lord Succoth Lord Justice General – The Duke of Montrose Lord Justice Clerk – Lord Braxfield
Events 19 July – Act to Raise and Embody a Militia Force in Scotland. 29 August – Massacre of Tranent: British troops attack protestors against enforced recruitment into the militia at Tranent in East Lothian, killing 12. 11 October (12 October naval reckoning) – Battle of Camperdown: Royal Navy led by Dundee-born Admiral Duncan defeats the fleet of the Batavian Republic off the coast of Holland. Cloch lighthouse completed. Johnston Press established as printers in Falkirk. Johnstons of Elgin established as a textile mill in Elgin, Moray. Keiller's marmalade first produced in Dundee. Publication of Encyclopædia Britannica Third Edition is completed in Edinburgh.
Births 29 April – George Don, botanist (died 1856) 10 October – Thomas Drummond, military surveyor and Under-Secretary for Ireland (died 1840 in Ireland) 14 November – Charles Lyell, geologist (died 1875 in England) 3 December – Andrew Smith, military surgeon, explorer, ethnologist and zoologist (died 1872 in England)
Deaths 26 March – James Hutton, geologist (born 1726) 30 December – David Martin, portrait painter and engraver (born 1737)
The arts 24 December – Walter Scott marries Charlotte Carpenter at St Mary's Church, Carlisle, and the couple immediately move into their new home at 50 George Street, Edinburgh.Edinburgh Archive – Family.
References