Am I right in thinking that, in Scotland, there was a difference between a will and a testament?

Yes, you are. A will was the document drawn up by an individual wishing to settle his or her affairs prior to death. As such, it clearly sets down instructions as to the disposal of the deceased’s possessions. It was variously termed ‘Last Will and Testament’, ‘Latter Will and Testament’, ‘Disposition’, ‘Settlement’ and ‘Disposition and Settlement’. A testament, however, was the legal document drawn up after a person died, and its sole purpose was to enable the court to confirm an executor who would be responsible for winding-up the deceased’s affairs. In other words, if there was a will there would definitely be a testament, but there could be a testament without a will.