On 23 January 1570, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, regent for James VI, is assassinated in Linlithgow by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh who was armed with a rifled matchlock carbine. The killing is often incorrectly stated to be the first-ever assassination by firearm.
The Assassination of James Stewart, Earl of Moray
On this day in Scottish History
By Editorial

Editorial
Covering the History and Heritage of Scotland. Articles, Commentary and Reviews. Events and Places to Visit. mail@scottishhistory.org
Related articles
On this day in Scottish History
Quintinshill rail disaster
On 22 May 1915, 227 people are killed and 246 more are injured in a rail crash at Quintinshill, near Gretna Green.
The accident...
On this day in Scottish History
Marquis of Montrose is executed
On 21 May 1650, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, the chief Royalist military commander in Scotland, was executed in Edinburgh.
Montrose had initially been one...