RA Collection: People and Organisations
Born James Boyd, the eldest son of William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock and Lady Anne Livingston at Falkirk on 26 April 1726, he was known from 1728 to 1746, while his father was Earl of Kilmarnock, by the courtesy title of Lord Boyd.
On 19 August 1758 he succeeded his maternal great-aunt, Mary Hay, 14th Countess of Erroll as the 15th Earl of Erroll, simultaneously changing his surname from Boyd to Hay, as he and his descendants were henceforth known. Along with the title Earl of Erroll he also held the ceremonial hereditary office of Lord High Constable of Scotland.
Between 1770 and 1774 he served as a Representative Peer in the Scottish Parliament.
Born: 20 April 1726
Died: 3 July 1778
Gender: Male