| Administrative History | William Laing [1742-1812]. Student at Marischal College 1762-1766 and Beattie's pupil in 1765-1766. He was Master at Aberdeen Grammar School in 1770-1771. Beattie secured his appointment as episcopal minister at Peterhead in 1771. He had studied Medicine, although he did not obtain any qualification, but in 1782, on Beattie's recommendation, he was awarded an MD degree of Marischal College. He remained a close friend of Beattie until the latter's death |
| Description | James Hay Beattie returned last night from Montrose, fetching Montagu and niece Margaret. He has translated Horatian Ode on Peterhead - enclosed [not found]. College wanted James Hay Beattie to take charge of Skene's class during winter, but Beattie did not think James Hay Beattie well enough, so charged devolved on Beattie's nephew. Twenty-three in Beattie's class at first meeting, and Professor of Greek had forty. Plans for Laing to superintend building of a chamber organ for Beattie. He would not learn to play it, but James Hay Beattie could. Wrote lines to Lady Charlotte Gordon while at Gordon Castle , which got into an English Newspaper by chance which Beattie cannot explain [London Chronicle, 23-25 October 1787]. Sends correct version - written out in letter. Dundas and Macpherson had also been writing lines to her. |