List of acts of the Parliament of Scotland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of laws, called acts, made by the old Parliament of Scotland. This Parliament was like the government of Scotland for many centuries.

It joined with the old Parliament of England to create the Parliament of Great Britain in 1707. This happened because of a law called the Union with England Act 1707.

These acts are important because they show how Scotland was governed and what rules people had to follow a long time ago. Some of these old laws are even still in use today!

Laws from the 15th Century

1424 Laws

The Parliament made many laws in 1424. Here are a few examples:

Public Peace Act 1424 (c 2): This law was about keeping peace across the country.
Riders and Gangers Act 1424 (c 5): This act dealt with people who rode or walked through the countryside, likely to control travel.
Sorners Act 1424 (c 7): This law was about "sorners," who were people who demanded food and lodging without paying.
Royal Mines Act 1424 (c 13): This act was about mines that contained gold and silver. It is still a law today!
Football Act 1424 (c 18): This interesting law was about playing football. It tried to stop people from playing it!
Archers Act 1424 (c 19): This law encouraged people to practice archery, which was important for defense.
Rooks Act 1424 (c 20): This act was about rooks (a type of bird) building nests in trees.
Muirburn Act 1424 (c 21): This law was about controlled burning of moorland.
Innkeepers Act 1424 (c 25): This act set rules for places where travelers could stay in towns.

In March 1425 (which was still considered 1424 in the old calendar), more laws were passed:

Lollard Act (c 3): This law was against "heretics and Lollards," who were people with different religious beliefs.
Leagues Act 1425 (c 5): This act was about stopping secret groups or alliances.
Horses Act 1425 (c 7): This law set rules for selling horses.
Theft of Green Wood Act 1424 or 1425 (c 10): This law made it illegal to steal wood from forests or break into orchards.
Wapinschaws Act 1424 (c 23): This act was about "wapinschaws," which were gatherings where men showed their weapons and practiced military skills.

1425 Laws

In March 1426 (old style 1425), more laws were made:

Law of the Land Act 1425 or 1426 (c 3): This law explained which laws the King's people should follow.
Travellers Act 1425 (c 11): This act was about places for travelers in towns and along main roads.
Ferries Act 1425 (c 16): This law set rules for boatmen and ferry operators.
Lords of the Session Act 1425 (c 19): This act was about setting up court sessions.
Fire in Towns Act 1425 or 1426 (c 23): This law dealt with preventing fires in towns.

1426 Laws

In September 1426, Parliament passed these acts:

Craftsmen's Work Act 1426 (c 3): This law set prices for work done by skilled workers.
Wages Act 1426 (c 4): This act was about the pay for workers.
Castles Act 1426 (c 7): This law was about building and repairing castles and manor houses.

1427 Laws

In July 1427, laws included:

Travellers Act 1427 (c 3): Another law about public inns or guesthouses.
Deacons of Crafts Act 1427 (c 4): This act changed rules about leaders of craft guilds.

In March 1428 (old style 1427), more laws were made:

Members of Parliament Act 1427 or 1428 (c 2): This law was about representatives from different areas and the speaker of Parliament.
Wolves Act 1427 (c 5): This act encouraged landowners to find and kill wolf cubs.
Lepers Act 1427 (c 8): This law was about people with leprosy.
Wild Birds Act 1427 (c 12): This act was about wild birds.

1429 Laws

Lawburrows Act 1429 (c 20): This law is still in force today! It's about making sure people promise not to harm others.

Later 15th Century Laws

Leases Act 1449 (c 6): This law, passed in 1449, is still in force today. It's about agreements for renting land.
Reversion Act 1469 (c 3): This law from 1469 was about the right to get property back.
Diligence Act 1469 (c 12): This act from 1469 is still in force. It's about how debts are collected.
Royal Burghs Act 1487 (c 17): This law from 1487 is still in force. It's about special towns called royal burghs.
Common Good Act 1491 (c 19): This law from 1491 is still in force. It's about the shared property of towns.
Education Act 1496 (c 87): This important law from 1496 was about education in Scotland.

Laws from the 16th Century

1532 Laws

College of Justice Act 1532 (c 2): This law from 1532 is still in force. It helped create the highest civil court in Scotland, the Court of Session.

1540 Laws

Citation Act 1540 (c 10): This law from 1540 is still in force. It's about how people are officially called to court.
College of Justice Act 1540 (c 10): Another law about the College of Justice, still in force.

1560 Laws

Confession of Faith Ratification Act 1560 (c 1): This law from 1560 is still in force. It approved the Protestant faith in Scotland.
Papal Jurisdiction Act 1560 (c 2): This law from 1560 is still in force. It removed the Pope's power in Scotland.

1563 Laws

Witchcraft Act 1563 (c 9): This law made it illegal to practice witchcraft or sorcery.

1567 Laws

Coronation Oath Act 1567 (c 8): This law from 1567 is still in force. It's about the promise a new king or queen makes when they are crowned.
Marriage Act 1567 (c 16): This law dealt with marriage rules.

1579 Laws

Sunday Act 1579 (c 8): This law set rules for what people could and could not do on Sundays.
Act for Punishment of Strong and Idle Beggars, and Relief of the Poor and Impotent (c 12): This law aimed to deal with beggars and help those who were truly in need.
Criminal Letters Act 1579 (c 16): This law from 1579 is still in force. It's about official documents used in criminal cases.

1581 Laws

Lawburrows Act 1581 (c 22): This law from 1581 is still in force. It's another act about keeping the peace.

1584 Laws

Sovereignty Act 1584 (c 2): This law from 1584 is still in force. It declared the King's supreme power.
Unlawful Jurisdictions Act 1584 (c 4): This law from 1584 is still in force. It was against courts or powers not approved by the King.

1592 Laws

General Assembly Act 1592 (c 8): This law from 1592 is still in force. It recognized the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Lyon King of Arms Act 1592 (c 29): This law from 1592 is still in force. It's about the official who deals with coats of arms and ceremonies.
Mines and Metals Act 1592 (c 31): This law from 1592 is still in force. It's about mining for metals.
Compensation Act 1592 (c 61): This law from 1592 is still in force. It's about paying for damages.

1594 Laws

Land Purchase Act 1594 (c 26): This law from 1594 is still in force. It's about buying land.

1597 Laws

Kirk Dykes Act 1597 (c 3): This law from 1597 is still in force. It's about walls or fences around churches.
Lawburrows Act 1597 (c 40): This law from 1597 is still in force. Another act about keeping the peace.

Laws from the 17th Century

1600 Laws

Crown Proceedings Act 1600 (c 23): This law from 1600 is still in force. It's about legal cases involving the King or Queen.

1606 Laws

Sovereignty Act 1606 (c 1): This law from 1606 is still in force. It again confirmed the King's supreme power.

1607 Laws

Theft Act 1607 (c 6): This law from 1607 is still in force. It's about the crime of theft.

1617 Laws

Executors Act 1617 (c 14): This law from 1617 is still in force. It's about people who manage a deceased person's property.
Registration Act 1617 (c 16): This law from 1617 is still in force. It's about officially recording documents.

1633 Laws

Sovereignty Act 1633 (c 3): This law from 1633 is still in force. Yet another act confirming the King's power.
Education Act 1633: This law was about education.

1661 Laws

Crown Appointments Act 1661 (c 6): This law from 1661 is still in force. It's about who the King or Queen can appoint to positions.
Parliament Act 1661 (c 7): This law from 1661 is still in force. It's about how Parliament works.
Prerogative Act 1661 (c 13): This law from 1661 is still in force. It's about the special powers of the King or Queen.
Act against the crime of Blasphemy 1661 (c 21): This law made blasphemy a crime.
Precedence Act 1661 (c 211): This law from 1661 is still in force. It's about the order of importance for people.
Bonds Act 1661 (c 244): This law from 1661 is still in force. It's about legal agreements.
Sunday Act 1661 (c 281): This law set more rules for Sundays.
Arrestments Act 1661 (c 283): This law from 1661 is still in force. It's about seizing property to pay debts.
March Dykes Act 1661 (c 284): This law from 1661 is still in force. It's about building walls or fences on property boundaries.
Justices of the Peace Act 1661 (c 338): This law established Justices of the Peace.

1669 Laws

Prescription Act 1669 (c 14): This law from 1669 was about how long legal rights last.
Act for annexation of Orkney and Shetland to the Crown 1669 (c 19): This law officially made Orkney and Shetland part of the Crown lands.
March Dykes Act 1669 (c 38): This law from 1669 is still in force. Another act about boundary walls.
Lyon King of Arms Act 1669 (c 95): This law from 1669 is still in force. Another act about the Lyon King of Arms.

1672 Laws

Writs Act 1672 (c 16): This law from 1672 is still in force. It's about legal documents.
Courts Act 1672 (c 40): This law from 1672 is still in force. It's about how courts operate.

1681 Laws

Act anent Religion and the Test (c 6): This law, passed in 1681, required people in public office to take an oath about their religion.
Declinature Act 1681 (c 79): This law from 1681 is still in force. It's about judges stepping down from cases where they might be biased.
Bills of Exchange Act 1681 (c 86): This law from 1681 is still in force. It's about financial documents used in trade.

1686 Laws

Citation Act 1686 (c 5): This law from 1686 is still in force. Another act about official court summons.
Winter Herding Act 1686 (c 21): This law was about keeping livestock from wandering onto other people's land in winter.

1689 Laws

Claim of Right 1689 (c 28): This very important document from 1689 is still in force. It set out the rights of the Scottish people and limited the power of the monarch.
Prelacy Act 1689 (c 4): This law from 1689 is still in force. It removed bishops from the Church of Scotland.

1690 Laws

Confession of Faith Ratification Act 1690 (c 7): This law from 1690 is still in force. It again approved the Protestant faith and Presbyterian church structure.
Confirmation Act 1690 (c 56): This law from 1690 is still in force. It's about confirming legal documents.

1693 Laws

Citation Act 1693 (c 21): This law from 1693 is still in force. Another act about court summons.
Real Rights Act 1693 (c 22): This law from 1693 is still in force. It's about property rights.
Register of Sasines Act 1693 (c 23): This law from 1693 is still in force. It created a public record for land ownership.
Registration Act 1693 (c 24): This law from 1693 is still in force. Another act about recording documents.
Ministers Act 1693 (c 38): This law from 1693 is still in force. It's about church ministers.
Removings Act 1693 (c 40): This law from 1693 is still in force. It's about removing tenants from land.
Court of Session Act 1693 (c 42): This law from 1693 is still in force. It's about the main civil court.

1695 Laws

Act for a Company Tradeing to Affrica and the Indies (c 10): This law created the Company of Scotland, which was involved in the Darien Scheme.
Act against Blasphemy 1695 (c 11): This law made blasphemy a crime.
Runrig Lands Act 1695 (c 36): This law from 1695 is still in force. It was about dividing shared farm land.
Soil Preservation Act 1695 (c 54): This law was about protecting meadows and pastures near sand hills.
Division of Commonties Act 1695 (c 69): This law from 1695 is still in force. It was about dividing common land.
Confirmation Act 1695 (c 72): This law from 1695 is still in force. Another act about confirming legal documents.
Act for Erecting a Publick Bank (c 88): This law created the Bank of Scotland.

1696 Laws

Bankruptcy Act 1696 (c 5): This law was about declaring someone bankrupt.
Vitious Intromitters Act 1696 (c 20): This law from 1696 is still in force. It's about people who wrongly take control of someone's property after they die.
Education Act 1696 (c 26): This law was another important act about education.
Salmon Act 1696 (c 35): This law was about salmon fishing.
Inland Bills Act 1696 (c 38): This law from 1696 is still in force. It's about financial documents used within the country.
Registration Act 1696 (c 41): This law from 1696 is still in force. Another act about recording documents.

1698 Laws

Act against Clandestine and Irregular Marriages (c 6): This law aimed to stop secret or improper marriages.
Act for preserving of Planting (c 35): This law was about protecting planted trees.

Laws from the 18th Century

1701 Laws

Criminal Procedure Act 1701 (c 6): This law from 1701 is still in force. It's a very important act about preventing wrongful imprisonment and speeding up trials.

1702 Laws

Act for Secureing the true Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Government (c 3): This law aimed to protect the Protestant religion and the Presbyterian church in Scotland.
Act enabling her Majesty to appoint Commissioners to treat for an Union betwixt the two Kingdoms of Scotland and England (c 7): This important law allowed talks to begin about joining Scotland and England.

1703 Laws

Act Anent Peace and War: This law was about the power to declare peace or war.
Act anent Leesing Makers and Slanderers (c 4): This law was against people who spread lies or slandered others.
Act Dischargeing Importation of Irish Victual Beef and Cattle (c 10): This law stopped the import of food and cattle from Ireland.
Wine Act (c 13): This law allowed wines and other foreign drinks to be imported.

1704 Laws

Act of Security 1704: This important act aimed to protect Scotland's independence if Queen Anne died without an heir.

1705 Laws

Fisheries Act 1705 (c 48): This law from 1705 is still in force. It was about helping the fishing trade in Scotland.
Act for a Treaty with England 1705 (c 50): This law allowed the Scottish Parliament to negotiate a full union with England, leading to the creation of Great Britain.

1707 Laws

Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Church Act 1707 (c 6): This law from 1707 is still in force. It guaranteed that the Presbyterian Church would remain the established church in Scotland after the Union.
Union with England Act 1707 (c 7): This is one of the most famous laws in Scottish history. Passed in 1707, it officially joined the Kingdom of Scotland with the Kingdom of England to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. This law is still in force today.
Election Act 1707 (c 8): This law set out how Scotland would choose its representatives for the new Parliament of Great Britain.