| Administrative History | James Hay, Earl of Erroll [1726-1778] 14th Earl of Erroll, son of the Earl of Kilmarnock(who had been executed for his part in the 1745 rebellion), and elder brother of Charles Boyd. He succeded in the earldom of Erroll through the female line , and by virtue of his succession became hereditary Lord High Constable of Scotland. His scottish home was Slain Castle, near Peterhead. Beattie was introduced to him by Robert Arbuthnot, who in 1760 persuaded the Earl to canvass Lord Milton and the Duke of Argyll to support Beattie's appoinment to the vancant philosophy chair at Marischall College |