Events from the year 1997 in Scotland.
Incumbents
Secretary of State for Scotland and Keeper of the Great Seal – Michael Forsyth until 2 May; then Donald Dewar
Law officers Lord Advocate – Lord Mackay of Drumadoon; then Lord Hardie Solicitor General for Scotland – Paul Cullen; then Colin Boyd
Judiciary Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General – Lord Rodger of Earlsferry Lord Justice Clerk – Lord Ross, then Lord Cullen Chairman of the Scottish Land Court – Lord McGhie
Events 22 February – Scientists at the Roslin Institute announce the birth of a cloned sheep named Dolly seven months afterwards. 31 March – Rail operator ScotRail (operated by National Express) begins operation of its passenger service franchise in Scotland as part of the privatisation of British Rail, the last company to be sold. April–October – In the Outer Hebrides, the Northern Lighthouse Board constructs a new light on Haskeir with minor lights on Gasker and on Shillay, Monach Islands. 1 May – The 1997 UK general glection results in all Conservative MPs in Scotland losing their seats, and Labour returning to government after eighteen years in opposition. 43-year-old, Edinburgh-born Tony Blair (Labour) becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Mohammad Sarwar, elected for Labour in Glasgow Govan, becomes the UK's first ever Muslim MP. 12 June – Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust acquires the island. 5 August – James Reid is jailed for life for the murder of four-year-old James Ward, whose skull was struck by so many blows with a slater's hammer that it was smashed into fragments, like a jigsaw. 7 September – Clyde Auditorium opened in Glasgow. 8 September – The football clubs in the Premier Division decide to split from the Scottish Football League and form the Scottish Premier League from next season. 11 September – referendum in Scotland on the creation of a Parliament with devolved powers takes place. Voters back the plans for a Scottish Executive with limited tax-raising powers. October – The Grand Theft Auto video game, developed by DMA Design in Dundee, is launched. 6 November – Labour holds the Paisley South by-election despite a swing of 11.3% to the Scottish National Party. 18 December – The bill to establish the Scottish Parliament unveiled by Secretary of State for Scotland Donald Dewar, who would become the inaugural First Minister of Scotland in 1999. December – Valhalla Brewery, the most northerly in Britain, opened on Unst. The Island of Stroma is completely devoid of permanent residents when its lighthouse is automated and its keepers and their families depart. Equality Network established to campaign for LGBT rights in Scotland.
Births 17 January – Charithra Chandran, actress 6 May – Duncan Scott, swimmer 12 July – Fergus McCreadie, jazz pianist and composer 11 August – Sarah Clelland, footballer 3 October – Kathleen Dawson, swimmer 8 October – Josh Kerr, middle-distance runner
Deaths 22 January – Billy Mackenzie, singer, by suicide (born 1957) 29 June – Marjorie Linklater, campaigner for the arts and environment of Orkney (born 1909) 4 September – Belle Stewart, traditional singer (born 1906) Angus McPhee, outsider artist (born 1916)
The arts Wigtown and Dalmellington become book towns. Anne MacLeod publishes her first poetry collection, Standing by Thistles.
See also 1997 in Northern Ireland
References