The order of precedence in Scotland was fixed by Royal Warrant in 1905. 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.
Contents
The relative precedence of peers of Scotland is determined by the Act of Union 1707.
Gentlemen
- The Sovereign (The Queen, Elizabeth II)
- Spouse of the Sovereign (Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
- The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, when it is in session (David Hope, Baron Hope of Craighead in 2016)
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom/Royal family (men)
- Lords Lieutenants (see list below)
- Sheriff Principal (during term of office and with bounds of Sheriffdom)
- The Lord High Chancellor (office held by a woman)
- The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (2016–2017: Russell Barr)
- The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury (office held by a woman)
- Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
- The Speaker of the House of Commons (John Bercow MP)
- The Lord Speaker of the House of Lords (Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler)
- The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (David Neuberger, Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury)
- The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland (Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland)
- The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament (Ken Macintosh)
- The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell MP)
- The Lord High Constable of Scotland (Merlin Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll)
- The Master of the Household in Scotland (Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll)
- Dukes
- Eldest sons of dukes of Blood royal
- Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, eldest son of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
- George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, eldest son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
- Prince George of Cambridge, only son of Prince William, Earl of Strathearn
- Ministers, Envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
- Lord Great Chamberlain (David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley)
- Marquesses
- Eldest sons of dukes (see list)
- Earls
- Younger sons of dukes of Blood royal
- Eldest sons of marquesses
- Younger sons of dukes
- Lord Justice General (Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway)
- Lord Clerk Register (James Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern)
- Lord Advocate (James Wolffe)
- Advocate General for Scotland (Richard Keen, Baron Keen of Elie)
- Lord Justice Clerk (Leeona Dorrian, Lady Dorrian)
- Viscounts
- Eldest sons of earls
- Lord Frederick Windsor
- Younger sons of marquesses
- Barons and Lords of Parliament
- Eldest sons of viscounts
- Younger sons of earls
- Eldest sons of barons
- Knights of the Garter
- Knights of the Thistle
- Knights of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- 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 Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Knights Grand Commanders 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 Commanders of the Order of the Bath
- Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Solicitor General for Scotland (Lesley Thomson – see Order of Precedence for Ladies below)
- Lyon King of Arms (Joseph Morrow)
- Scottish Barons
- Sheriffs-Principal
- Knights Bachelor
- Sheriffs
- 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 of the Garter
- Eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
- Eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 of the Garter
- Younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
- Younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Queen's Counsel
- Esquires
- Gentlemen
Ladies
The order of precedence accorded to women of the royal family differs depending on whether or not they are accompanied by a husband who is accorded higher precedence. When unaccompanied, blood relations of the sovereign are always accorded higher precedence. For example, when not accompanied by Prince Charles, Camilla ranks after Princess Alexandra; when with her husband, Camilla ranks above all women other than the reigning sovereign and any queens dowager.
nb: since there is no specific place in the order for a great-grandchild of the Sovereign (no matter how directly in line), Princess Charlotte of Cambridge must presumably take precedence as the daughter of a Duke of the Blood Royal (see below).
- Sheriff Principal (during term of office and with bounds of Sheriffdom)
- The Lord High Chancellor (Elizabeth Truss)
- The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury (Theresa May)
- 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
- Claire Booth, wife of Earl of Ulster
- Sylvana Tomaselli, 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
- Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, only daughter of the Earl of Strathearn
- Marchionesses
- Wives of dukes' eldest sons
- Daughters of dukes not married to peers
- Countesses
- Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
- Lady Gabriella Windsor
- 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
- Sophie Winkleman, 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 of the Garter
- Anne Princess Royal
- Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy
- Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller
- Ladies of the Thistle
- Anne Princess Royal
- Wives of Knights of the Garter
- Poppy Anderson
- 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
- 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
- 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 Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
- Solicitor General for Scotland (Alison Di Rollo)
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
- 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
- Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
- 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 or peeresses
- Daughters of sons of peers or peeresses
- Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
- Daughters of baronets
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 of the Garter
- Daughters of Knights of the Thistle
- Daughters of Knights of St Patrick
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
- 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
- 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
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
- 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 of the Garter
- Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
- Wives of younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Local Precedence
- 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 (John Duncan)
- Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire (Clare Russell)
- Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire (Alexander Trotter)
- Lord Lieutenant of Caithness (Anne Dunnett)
- 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 (Ewen Brodie)
- 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 (John Hamilton Scott)
- Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk (Marjory McLachlan)
- 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)
- Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown ()
- The Provost
- The Deputy Provost
- Justices of the Peace
- The Chief Constable