Order of precedence in Scotland

Part of a series on the Orders of precedence
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The order of precedence in Scotland was fixed by Royal Warrant in 1905.^[1] Amendments were made by further Warrants in 1952, 1958, 1999 to coincide with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government and most recently in 2012.^[2][3]

The relative precedence of peers of Scotland is determined by the Act of Union 1707.

Gentlemen

1. The Sovereign (The Queen, Elizabeth II)^[1]
2. Spouse of the Sovereign (Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)^{[nb 1]}
3. The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, when it is in session (The Duke of Buccleuch in 2018).^[5]
4. The Heir Apparent (The Duke of Rothesay)^[1]
5. Younger Sons of the Sovereign^[1]
   1. The Earl of Inverness
   2. The Earl of Wessex
6. Grandsons of the Sovereign^[1]
   1. The Earl of Strathearn
   2. The Earl of Dumbarton
   3. Viscount Severn
   4. Peter Phillips
7. Brothers of the Sovereign (of which there are none)^[1]
8. Uncles of the Sovereign (none living)^[1]
9. Nephews of the Sovereign (The Earl of Snowdon)^[1]
10. Lord Lieutenants (see list below) (during term of office and within bounds of counties and cities)^[1] as amended by^[3]
11. Sheriffs Principal (see list here (during term of office and within bounds of Sheriffdom)^[1] as amended by^[3]
12. The Lord High Chancellor (David Lidington MP)^[1]
13. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (2017–2018: Derek Browning)^[6][1]
14. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury (office held by a woman, Theresa May MP)
15. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
16. The Speaker of the House of Commons (John Bercow MP)
17. The Lord Speaker of the House of Lords (Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler)
18. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom^[7] (office held by a woman)
19. The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland (office held by a woman, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland)^[8][3]
20. The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament (Ken Macintosh)^[3]
21. The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell MP)^[3]
22. The Lord High Constable of Scotland (Merlin Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll)^[1]
23. The Master of the Household in Scotland (Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll)^[1]
24. Dukes^[1]
25. Eldest sons of dukes of Blood royal^[1]
    1. Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, only son of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
    2. George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, eldest son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
    3. Prince George of Cambridge, eldest son of Prince William, Earl of Strathearn
26. Ministers, Envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
27. Marquesses^[1]
28. Eldest sons of dukes (see list)^[1]
29. Earls^[1]
30. Younger sons of dukes of Blood royal^[1]
    1. Lord Nicholas Windsor, younger son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
    2. Prince Louis of Cambridge, younger son of Prince William, Earl of Strathearn
31. Eldest sons of marquesses^[1]
32. Younger sons of dukes^[1]
33. Lord Justice General (Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway)^[1]
34. Lord Clerk Register (James Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern)^[1]
35. Lord Advocate (James Wolffe)^[1]
36. Advocate General for Scotland (Richard Keen, Baron Keen of Elie)^[3]
37. Lord Justice Clerk (Leeona Dorrian, Lady Dorrian)^[1]
38. Viscounts^[1]
39. Eldest sons of earls^[1]
40. Lord Frederick Windsor
41. Younger sons of marquesses^[1]
42. Barons and Lords of Parliament^[1]
43. Eldest sons of viscounts^[1]
44. Younger sons of earls^[1]
45. Eldest sons of barons^[1]
46. Knights of the Garter^[1]
47. Knights of the Thistle^[3]
48. Privy Counsellors^[1]
49. Senators of the College of Justice and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court^[1]
50. Younger sons of viscounts^[1]
51. Younger sons of barons^[1]
52. Sons of Law Life Peers^[1]
53. Baronets^[1]
54. Knights of St Patrick (none, order dormant)^[1]
55. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath^[1]
56. Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)^[1]
57. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George^[1]
58. Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)^[1]
59. Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order^[1]
60. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
61. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath^[1]
62. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)^[1]
63. Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George^[1]
64. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)^[1]
65. Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order^[1]
66. Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
67. Solicitor General for Scotland (Lesley Thomson – see Order of Precedence for Ladies below)^[1]
68. Lyon King of Arms (Joseph Morrow)^[1]
69. Scottish Barons
70. Sheriffs-Principal^[1]
71. Knights Bachelor^[1]
72. Sheriffs^[1] as amended by^[3]
73. Companions of the Order of the Bath^[1]
74. Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)^[1]
75. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George^[1]
76. Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)^[1]
77. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
78. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
79. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
80. Companions of the Distinguished Service Order^[1]
81. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
82. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
83. Eldest sons of younger sons of peers^[1]
84. Eldest sons of baronets^[1]
85. Eldest sons of Knights of the Garter^[1]
86. Eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle^[1]
87. Eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick^[1]
88. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
89. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
90. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
91. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
92. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
93. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
94. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
95. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
96. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
97. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
98. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
99. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
100. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
101. Members of the Order of the British Empire
102. Younger sons of baronets^[1]
103. Younger sons of Knights of the Garter
104. Younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
105. Younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
106. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
107. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
108. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
109. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
110. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
111. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
112. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
113. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
114. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
115. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
116. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
117. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
118. Queen's Counsel^[1] as amended by^[3]
119. Esquires^[1]
120. Gentlemen^[1]

Ladies

1. The Queen, Elizabeth II
2. Queens dowager (none living; ordered according to husband's death, earliest first)
3. Wife of the Heir Apparent
   1. Camilla, Duchess of Rothesay
4. Wives of the Sovereign's younger sons
   1. Sophie, Countess of Wessex
5. Daughters of the Sovereign
   1. Anne, Princess Royal
6. Wife of the Sovereign's eldest grandson in male line
   1. Catherine, Countess of Strathearn
7. Other Granddaughters-in-law of the Sovereign
   1. Meghan, Countess of Dumbarton
   2. Autumn Phillips
8. Granddaughters of the Sovereign
   1. Princess Beatrice of York
   2. Princess Eugenie of York
   3. Lady Louise Windsor
   4. Zara Phillips
9. Sisters-in-law of the Sovereign (none)
10. Sisters of the Sovereign (none living)
11. Aunts (by marriage) of the Sovereign (none living)
12. Aunts (by blood) of the Sovereign (none living)
13. Nieces (by marriage) of the Sovereign (Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon)
14. Nieces (by blood) of the Sovereign (Lady Sarah Chatto)
15. Granddaughters-in-law of former Sovereigns (whose husbands are Dukes)
    1. Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
    2. Katharine, Duchess of Kent
16. Granddaughters-in-law of former Sovereigns (whose husbands are not Dukes)
    1. Princess Michael of Kent
17. Cousins of the Sovereign
    1. Princess Alexandra, The Hon Lady Ogilvy
18. Lords Lieutenant (see list below)
19. Sheriff Principal (during term of office and with bounds of Sheriffdom)
20. The Lord High Chancellor (Elizabeth Truss)
21. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury (Theresa May)
22. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
23. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond)
24. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
25. Duchesses
26. Claire Booth, wife of Earl of Ulster
27. Sylvana Tomaselli, wife of Earl of St Andrews
28. Lady Davina Windsor, elder daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
29. Lady Rose Gilman, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
30. Lady Helen Taylor, only daughter of the Duke of Kent
31. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, only daughter of the Earl of Strathearn
32. Marchionesses
33. Wives of dukes' eldest sons
34. Daughters of dukes not married to peers
35. Countesses
36. Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
37. Lady Gabriella Windsor
38. Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
39. Wives of dukes' younger sons
40. Viscountesses
41. Wives of eldest sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
42. Earls' daughters not married to peers
43. Sophie Winkleman, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
44. Wives of marquesses' younger sons
45. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
46. Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
47. Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
48. Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
49. Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
50. Daughters of barons or baronesses
51. Ladies of the Garter
    1. Anne Princess Royal
    2. Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
    3. Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller
52. Ladies of the Thistle
    1. Anne Princess Royal
53. Wives of Knights of the Garter

• • all rank higher, except:

1. 1. Valerie Stephen
   2. Mary Colman
   3. June Hillary
   4. Jennifer Acland
   5. Norma Major
2. Wives of Knights of the Thistle

• • all rank higher, except:

1. 1. Poppy Anderson
2. Privy Counsellors
3. Senators of the College of Justice
4. Wives of viscounts' younger sons
5. Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
6. Wives of baronets
7. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
8. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
9. Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
10. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
11. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
12. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
13. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
14. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
15. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
16. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
17. Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
18. Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
19. Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
20. Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
21. Solicitor General for Scotland (Alison Di Rollo)
22. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
23. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
24. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
25. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
26. Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
27. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
28. Companions of the Order of the Bath
29. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
30. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
31. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
32. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
33. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India
34. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
35. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
36. Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
37. Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
38. Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
39. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
40. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
41. Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
42. Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
43. Wives of Senators of the College of Justice
44. Wives of Knights Bachelor
45. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
46. Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
47. Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers or peeresses
48. Daughters of sons of peers or peeresses
49. Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
50. Daughters of baronets
51. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
52. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
53. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
54. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
55. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
56. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
57. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
58. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
59. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
60. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
61. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
62. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
63. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
64. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
65. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
66. Daughters of Knights of the Garter
67. Daughters of Knights of the Thistle
68. Daughters of Knights of St Patrick
69. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
70. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
71. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
72. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
73. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
74. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
75. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
76. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
77. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
78. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
79. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
80. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
81. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
82. Members of the Order of the British Empire
83. Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
84. Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
85. Wives of younger sons of baronets
86. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Garter
87. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
88. Wives of younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
89. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
90. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
91. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
92. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
93. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
94. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
95. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
96. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
97. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
98. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
99. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

Local Precedence

1. The Lord Lieutenant of the lieutenancy areas (the Lord Provost is Lord Lieutenant in the 4 largest cities):
   • The Lord Provost of Aberdeen (George Adam)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire (James Ingleby)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Angus (Georgiana Osborne)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute (Patrick Stewart)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran (Iona McDonald)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire (Clare Russell)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire (Alexander Trotter)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Caithness (John Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire (George Reid)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries (Fiona Armstrong)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire (Michael Gregory)
   • The Lord Provost of Dundee (Robert Duncan)
   • Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian (Garth Morrison)
   • The Lord Provost of Edinburgh (Donald Wilson)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Fife (Robert William Balfour)
   • The Lord Provost of Glasgow (Sadie Docherty)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Inverness (Donald Cameron)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire (Carol Kinghorn)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire (Mushtaq Ahmad)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian (Robert Maxwell Clerk)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Moray (Grenville Johnston)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Nairn (George Russell Asher)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Orkney (Anthony Trickett)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross (Melville Stewart Jameson)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire (Guy Clark)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty (Janet Bowen)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Richard Scott, 10th Duke of Buccleuch)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Shetland (Bobby Hunter)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk (Alan Simpson)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland (Monica Main)
   • Lord Lieutenant of The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (Malcolm Ross)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Tweeddale (Hew Strachan)
   • Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles (Alexander Mathisson)
   • Lord Lieutenant of West Lothian (Isobel Brydie) (Moira Niven from 20 Sep 2017)
   • Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown (John Alexander Ross)
2. The Provost
3. The Deputy Provost
4. Justices of the Peace
5. The Chief Constable

Notes

References

External links

• The Scale of General Precedence in Scotland