1578 in Scotland

Events from the year 1578 in the Kingdom of Scotland.

Incumbents

 * Monarch – James VI

Events

 * Battle of the Spoiling Dyke at Trumpan on the Isle of Skye: the Clan MacLeod are victorious over the MacDonalds of Uist in a feud.

Births

 * Robert Boyd, Principal of the University of Glasgow (died 1627)
 * William Welwod, jurist (died 1622)
 * Gilbert Jack, philosopher (died 1628)

Deaths

 * 14 April – James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, in Denmark (born c. 1534)
 * May/September – Robert Richardson, lord treasurer
 * September/October – Alexander Hepburn, Bishop of Ross
 * James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig, baron