in 1619, prior to his father's death, thomas burnet younger of leys was one of a body of commissioners named by king james vi of scotland, at the instance of bishop patrick forbes, to visit the universities of aberdeen. the same year he was made an honorary burgess of aberdeen, and in 1620 he was knighted. he was one of the earliest recipients of the dignity of baronet of nova scotia, his patent dated at holyroodhouse on 21 april 1626.