1979 in Scotland

Events from the year 1979 in Scotland.

Incumbents

 * Secretary of State for Scotland and Keeper of the Great Seal – Bruce Millan until 4 May; then George Younger

Law officers

 * Lord Advocate – Ronald King Murray; then Lord Mackay of Clashfern
 * Solicitor General for Scotland – Lord McCluskey; then Nicholas Fairbairn

Judiciary

 * Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General – Lord Emslie
 * Lord Justice Clerk – Lord Wheatley
 * Chairman of the Scottish Land Court – Lord Elliott

Events

 * 1 March – Scottish devolution referendum: Scotland votes by a majority of 77,437 for a Scottish Assembly, which is not implemented at this time due to a condition that at least 40% of the electorate must support the proposal.
 * 17 March – Penmanshiel Tunnel collapses during reconstruction, killing two workers. A replacement tunnel opens to rail traffic on 20 August.
 * 12 April – Cromarty Bridge opens.
 * 16 April – Paisley Gilmour Street rail accident: Seven killed in a head-on collision.
 * 4 May – UK general election: The Labour Party wins the majority of seats in Scotland but the Conservatives win by a 43-seat majority across the UK as a whole, with Margaret Thatcher becoming the first female Prime Minister. George Younger is appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, an office he will hold until January 1986.
 * 7 June – the first election is held for the European Parliament, with the Conservatives winning five, Labour winning two and the Scottish National Party winning one of the 8 seats available in Scotland.
 * 12 June – the Tayberry is patented.
 * 8 September – Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. set a new UK transfer record by paying just under £1,500,000 for Glasgow-born Aston Villa and Scotland striker Andy Gray.
 * Property on Raasay is sold to the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

Births

 * 23 January – Dawn O'Porter, née Porter, television presenter and novelist
 * 2 February – David Paisley, actor
 * 15 February
 * Scott Severin, footballer
 * Gordon Shedden, racing driver
 * 22 February – Claire Johnston, lawn bowler
 * 20 April
 * Gregor Tait, swimmer
 * Ruth Connell, actress and producer
 * 21 April – James McAvoy, actor
 * 11 May – Tim Baillie, slalom canoer
 * 15 May – James Mackenzie, actor and television presenter
 * 9 June – Fraser Watts, cricketer
 * 20 June – Julie Fowlis, folk singer
 * 31 August – Simon Neil, singer-songwriter
 * 23 December – Kenny Miller, association football player

Deaths

 * 24 February – Sir James Hutchison, 1st Baronet, shipbuilder, army officer and politician (born 1893)
 * 16 September – Marion Cameron Gray, mathematician (born 1902)
 * 27 September – Jimmy McCulloch, musician (born 1953)

The arts

 * Alternative rock trio Cocteau Twins is formed in Grangemouth.
 * National Youth Orchestra of Scotland is formed.
 * Pier Arts Centre established in Stromness to display the collection of modern British art donated by Margaret Gardiner.