Thomas Gardyne of Middleton (fl. late 16th – early 17th century) was a Scottish laird, primarily known for his involvement in a prominent feud and murder in 16th-century Angus, Scotland. He was a member of the ancient Gardyne family, who held significant lands in the region, including Gardyne and Middleton.
The Gardynes were an established landowning family in Angus (now part of Perth and Kinross and Angus councils). Thomas Gardyne held the estate of Middleton, which was closely associated with the main Gardyne of Gardyne line. Like many Scottish families of his era, the Gardynes were frequently embroiled in feuds with neighboring clans and gentry, a common feature of the often-unstable political and social landscape of late medieval and early modern Scotland.
Gardyne is most notably remembered for his central role in the murder of David Beaton of Melgund on 26th July 1592. Beaton was a kinsman of Cardinal David Beaton and a prominent figure in the region, allied with the powerful Carnegie family. The murder was the culmination of a long-running and bitter feud between the Gardyne and Guthrie families on one side, and the Beatons and Carnegies on the other. Thomas Gardyne, along with his kinsman, Robert Gardyne of Blairton, and others, ambushed and killed Beaton near his home.
Following the murder, Thomas Gardyne was declared a rebel by the Scottish Crown. His lands and properties were forfeited, and he faced legal repercussions for his actions. The incident underscores the pervasive nature of private vengeance and the challenges faced by the monarchy in enforcing law and order across the country during this period. Despite the initial harsh penalties, it was not uncommon for individuals involved in such feuds to eventually receive pardons or compositions, often through political maneuvering or the payment of fines. The precise details of Gardyne's later life, including the exact terms of any eventual reconciliation or pardon, are less comprehensively documented than the event itself.