Order of precedence in Scotland explained
The order of precedence in Scotland was fixed by Royal Warrant in 1905. Amendments were made by further Warrants in 1912, 1952, 1958, 1999 to coincide with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government and most recently in 2012.[1] [2]
The relative precedence of peers of Scotland is determined by the Act of Union 1707.
Gentlemen
Royalty, high officials, et al.
Royal family
Precedence is accorded to spouses, children and grandchildren of the reigning sovereign, as well as children and grandchildren of former sovereigns.
High Officers of State, et al.
Nobility, et al.
Dukes, et al.
| Note | Ref |
---|
| Ordered according to date of creation | |
Scotland | Ordered according to date of creation |
Great Britain | Ordered according to date of creation |
| HG The Duke of Leinster |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | Ordered according to date of creation |
Eldest sons of royal dukes who are not already ranked higher | Earl of Ulster (son of the Duke of Gloucester) Earl of St Andrews (son of the Duke of Kent) |
|
Marquesses, et al.
| Note | Ref |
---|
| The Most Hon. The Marquess of Winchester | |
Scotland | Ordered according to date of creation |
Great Britain | Ordered according to date of creation |
| Ordered according to date of creation |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | Ordered according to date of creation |
Eldest sons of dukes according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
|
Earls, et al.
| Note | Ref |
---|
| Ordered according to date of creation | |
Scotland | Ordered according to the Decreet of Ranking of 1606 according to date of creation |
Great Britain | Ordered according to date of creation |
| Ordered according to date of creation |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | Ordered according to date of creation |
Younger sons of royal dukes who are not already ranked higher | Lord Nicholas Windsor (second son of the Duke of Kent) |
Eldest sons of marquesses according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
Younger sons of dukes according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
|
Judiciary, et al.
- Lord Justice General (The Rt Hon. Lord Carloway)
- Lord Clerk Register (office held by a woman)
- Lord Advocate (office held by a woman)
- Advocate General for Scotland (office held by a woman)
- Lord Justice Clerk (office held by a woman)
- Viscounts
- Eldest sons of earls
- Lord Frederick Windsor (only son of Prince Michael of Kent)
- Younger sons of marquesses
Viscounts, et al.
| Note | Ref |
---|
| The Rt Hon. The Viscount Hereford | |
Scotland | Ordered according to date of creation |
Great Britain | Ordered according to date of creation |
| Ordered according to date of creation |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | Ordered according to date of creation |
Eldest sons of earls according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
Younger sons of marquesses ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
|
- Barons and Lords of Parliament
- Eldest sons of viscounts
- Younger sons of earls
- Eldest sons of barons
- Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Knights of the Order of the Thistle[2]
- Privy Counsellors
- Senators of the College of Justice and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court
- Younger sons of viscounts
- Younger sons of barons
- Sons of law life peers
- Baronets
- Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Solicitor General for Scotland (Ruth Charteris – see Order of Precedence for Ladies below)
- Lord Lyon King of Arms (The Revd Canon Joseph Morrow)
- Scottish Barons[11]
- Sheriffs-Principal
- Knights Bachelor
- Sheriffs as amended by[2]
- Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Imperial Service Order
- Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
- Eldest sons of baronets
- Eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Younger sons of baronets
- Younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- King's Counsel as amended by[2]
- Esquires
- Gentlemen
Ladies
Royal Family
The order of precedence accorded to women of the royal family:
- Lord-Lieutenants (see list below)
- Sheriffs-Principal (during term of office and with bounds of Sheriffdom)
- Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
- Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
- Duchesses
- Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
- Countess of St Andrews, wife of Earl of St Andrews
- Lady Davina Windsor, elder daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
- Lady Rose Gilman, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
- Lady Helen Taylor, only daughter of the Duke of Kent
- Marchionesses
- Wives of dukes' eldest sons
- Daughters of dukes not married to peers
- Countesses
- Lady Nicholas Windsor, wife of Lord Nicholas Windsor
- Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
- Lady Gabriella Kingston, only daughter of Prince Michael of Kent
- Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
- Wives of dukes' younger sons
- Viscountesses
- Wives of eldest sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
- Earls' daughters not married to peers
- Lady Frederick Windsor, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
- Wives of marquesses' younger sons
- Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
- Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
- Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
- Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
- Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
- Daughters of barons or baronesses
- Ladies Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Lady Mary Fagan
- Lady Mary Peters
- Ladies of the Order of the Thistle
- The Rt Hon. Lady Elish Angiolini
- Wives of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter (all rank higher, except)
- June, Lady Hillary
- Jennifer, Lady Acland
- Dame Norma, Lady Major
- Cherie, Lady Blair
- Wives of Knights of the Order of the Thistle (all rank higher, except)
- Lady (Helen) Wood
- Lady (Daphne) Reid
- Lady (Margaret) Palmer
- Wives of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Privy Counsellors
- Senators of the College of Justice
- Wives of viscounts' younger sons
- Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
- Wives of baronets
- Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Solicitor General for Scotland (Ruth Charteris)
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Senators of the College of Justice
- Wives of Knights Bachelor
- Companions of the Imperial Service Order
- Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
- Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers
- Daughters of sons of peers
- Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
- Daughters of baronets
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Daughters of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Daughters of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Daughters of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of younger sons of baronets
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Local precedence
- Lord-Lieutenants of the lieutenancy areas (the Lord Provost is Lord Lieutenant in the four largest cities):
- The Provost
- The Deputy Provost
- Justices of the peace
- The Chief Constable
Notes
16. The scales annexed to the royal warrant of 1905, unfortunately, arenot exhaustive of all rights of precedence, and appear to have beendrawn up without a proper consideration of the Scots law ofprecedence. Where a person has been omitted from the scales, but hasan undoubted precedence by the law of Scotland (such as barons,ambassadors and Irish peers created prior to 1801), the Lord Lyon, inseeing that the warrant is observed and kept, has a duty to give thatperson an appropriate place in the order of precedence on theappropriate occasion"
References
- Web site: 2013-10-18 . Table of Precedence, Ladies in Scotland - Debrett's Forms of Address, Scottish Women . 2024-02-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131018040154/http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/hierarchies/precedence-ladies-scotland.aspx . 18 October 2013 .
- Web site: 2010-12-24 . Burke's Peerage - Article Library . 2024-02-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101224203929/http://www.burkespeerage.com/articles/scotland/page31a.aspx . 24 December 2010 .
- [House of Lords Precedence Act 1539]
- Ordered according to the rules of primogeniture
- Web site: Order of Precedence in England and Wales . 2001 . Heraldica . 6 June 2013.
- Legally HRH Prince James of Edinburgh according to the 1917 Letters Patent as a male-line grandchild of a monarch, but styled as the duke's son per his parents' wishes on their wedding day and the will of the Queen.
- during term of office and within bounds of counties and cities
- Web site: The current Moderator. 2022-05-24.
- Scotland Act 1998, Section 45(7)
- [Ex officio member|Ex officio]
- Stair Memorial Encyclopedia,vol.16,2013
- Alastair Bruce . AlastairBruce_ . 1827325213559636083 . The Queen's arms and scottish banner (standard) hung St. Giles Kirk..
- Legally HRH Princess Louise of Edinburgh according to the 1917 Letters Patent as a male-line grandchild of a monarch, but styled as the duke's daughter per her parents' wishes on their wedding day and the will of the Queen.
- Web site: Lord-Lieutenant for Argyll and Bute: 14 July 2020. gov.uk. 23 August 2020.
- Web site: Lord-Lieutenant for Dunbartonshire: 12 August 2020 . gov.uk. 13 August 2020.
- https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/dundees-civic-history/lord-provost-of-dundee Lord Provost of Dundee
- https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/13480/edinburgh-appoints-new-lord-provost Edinburgh appoints new Lord Provost
- https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=29339 New Lord Provost of Glasgow announced
External links