1579 in Scotland

Events from the year 1579 in the Kingdom of Scotland.

Incumbents

 * Monarch – James VI

Events

 * September
 * 11-year old James VI declares the end of his minority and assumes personal rule.
 * Esmé Stewart, Sieur d'Aubigny, James's cousin, arrives from France and becomes the king's first favourite.
 * 19 October – Entry of James VI into Edinburgh, ceremonially marking the start of his personal rule.
 * First of the Scottish Poor Laws passed.
 * Members of the Glasgow Trades House defend Glasgow Cathedral from depredation.

Births

 * 23 August – Thomas Dempster, Catholic scholar and historian (died 1625)
 * Jean Kincaid, mariticide (executed 1600)
 * John Ogilvie, Jesuit martyr (executed 1615)
 * Approximate date –
 * John Cameron, Calvinist theologian (died 1625)
 * Arthur Johnston, poet and physician (died 1641)
 * Tobias Hume, composer (died 1645 in England)

Deaths

 * 25 April – John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl, noble
 * 16 October – Sir James MacGill, courtier
 * Possible date –
 * David Peebles, religious composer (born c. 1510)
 * James Sandilands, 1st Lord Torphichen, noble (born c. 1511)