Events from the year 1708 in Scotland.
Incumbents Secretary of State for Scotland: The Earl of Mar
Law officers Lord Advocate – Sir James Stewart Solicitor General for Scotland – William Carmichael
Judiciary Lord President of the Court of Session – Lord North Berwick Lord Justice General – Lord Tarbat Lord Justice Clerk – Lord Ormiston
Events 11 March – Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill, the last time a British monarch vetoes legislation. 23 March – James Francis Edward Stuart unsuccessfully tries to land at Burntisland on the Firth of Forth with a French fleet. 30 April – 7 July – British general election: New Scottish Westminster constituencies are used for the first time. 1 May – Privy Council of Scotland abolished. Treason Act harmonises the law of high treason in Scotland with that of England. Chairs of Moral Philosophy and of Logic & Metaphysics established in the University of Edinburgh. Regent system of teaching here abolished.
Births 15 February – Alexander Hume-Campbell, nobleman and politician (died 1760) 8 March – John Campbell, author (died 1775) Date unknown Thomas Gillespie, Presbyterian minister and founder of the Relief Church (died 1774) William Guthrie, historian (died 1770)
Deaths 21 June – John Hamilton, 2nd Lord Belhaven and Stenton, anti-Union politician (born 1656; died in London) 10 October – David Gregory, mathematician and astronomer (born 1659) 16 November – Alexander Edward, Episcopalian minister, architect and landscape designer (born 1651)
See also 1708 in Great Britain
References