title: 1769 in Scotland
text: # 1769 in Scotland
  
  Events from the year 1769 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
  
  * 29 April – James Watt is granted a British patent for "A method of lessening the consumption of steam in steam engines" – the separate condenser, a key improvement (first devised by Watt in 1765 in Glasgow) which stimulates the Industrial Revolution. In September he completes a full-size experimental engine at Kinneil House.
  * July 17 – Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant, having left Chester on 26 June, travels from Bamburgh to Dunbar to begin his tour of Scotland.
  * 3 August – part of the first North Bridge, Edinburgh, collapses while nearing completion, killing five.
  * 25 October – Murder of Alexander Montgomerie at Ardrossan.
  * 9 November – first Co-operative Society in Britain founded by weavers at Fenwick, East Ayrshire.
  * John Maxwell (of Dargavel) begins to practice as a lawyer in Glasgow, origin of McGrigors which continues as an independent firm until 2012.
  * Ayr Bank opens.
  * Fort George completed.
  
  ## Births
  
  * 2 May – John Malcolm, soldier, statesman and historian (died 1833 in London)
  * 14 April – Sir William Rae, 3rd Baronet, politician and lawyer (died 1842)
  * Charles Ewart, soldier (died 1846 in England)
  * Robert Hetrick, poet and blacksmith (died 1849)
  
  ## Deaths
  
  * 25 October – Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton (born 1723; murdered)
  
  ## The arts
  
  * 9 December – first Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, opens.
  * Richard Hurd's Ancient and Modern Scots Songs published.
  * Scotland portal
  