William Hay (bishop)

William Hay (17 February 1647 – 17 March 1707) was a Scottish clergyman and prelate who rose to be the final Church of Scotland Bishop of Moray.

He was born on 17 February 1647 the eldest son of William Hay, Master of the Music School in Old Aberdeen.

Hay was appointed to Kilconquhar parish church in Fife in November 1673 and St Andrews University awarded him a Doctor of Divinity in 1687 before moving to Perth in March 1684.

On 31 March 1689 he preached at the Easter Sunday service at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh which was notable due to the assassination of Lord President Sir George Lockhart, Lord Carnwath by John Chieslie on his leaving the church.

He refused to take an oath of fealty to King William and Queen Mary and was expelled from Spynie Palace, its last episcopal occupant.