Events from the year 1771 in Scotland.
Incumbents
Law officers Lord Advocate – James Montgomery Solicitor General for Scotland – Henry Dundas
Judiciary Lord President of the Court of Session – Lord Arniston, the younger Lord Justice General – Duke of Queensberry Lord Justice Clerk – Lord Barskimming
Events 17 August – Edinburgh botanist James Robertson makes the first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis. 16 November – During the night, Solway Moss, on the Cumberland border, bursts, flooding local farms and settlements. 26 November – First section of Monkland Canal opened. Encyclopædia Britannica First Edition completes publication in Edinburgh. Thomas Pennant's A Tour in Scotland, MDCCLXIX is published. Edinburgh Society of Bowlers codifies the modern rules for bowls.
Births 15 August – Walter Scott, poet and novelist (died 1832) 11 September – Mungo Park, explorer (drowned under attack 1806 on the Niger) 4 November – James Montgomery, poet, hymnist, editor and humanitarian (died 1854 in Sheffield)
Deaths 26 January – Sydney Parkinson, botanical illustrator (born c. 1745; died at sea) 14 May – Charles Bruce, 5th Earl of Elgin (born 1732) 17 September – Tobias Smollett, novelist (born 1721; died in Italy) William Lauder, literary forger (born c. 1680; died in Barbados)
The arts Henry Mackenzie's novel The Man of Feeling and verse The Pursuits of Happiness published.
See also
Timeline of Scottish history
References