Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Order of precedence in Scotland

 This article is part of the
United Kingdom order of precedence series.
 Order of precedence in England and Wales
 Order of precedence in Scotland
 Order of precedence in Northern Ireland

The Order of precedence in Scotland:

Table of contents
1 Gentlemen
2 Ladies
3 Local Precedence

Gentlemen

  1. The Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II)
  2. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
  3. The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland when it is in session
  4. HRH The Duke of Rothesay
  5. HRH The Duke of York
  6. HRH The Earl of Wessex
  7. HRH Prince William of Wales
  8. HRH Prince Harry of Wales
  9. Peter Phillips
  10. The Sovereign's brothers, where such exist (none at present)
  11. The Sovereign's uncles, where such exist (none at present)
  12. Viscount Linley, the Queen's nephew
  13. The Hon Charles Armstrong-Jones, the Queen's grand-nephew
  14. Samuel Chatto, the Queen's grand-nephew
  15. Arthur Chatto, the Queen's grand-nephew
  16. HRH The Duke of Gloucester, grandson of King George V
  17. HRH The Duke of Kent, grandson of King George V
  18. HRH Prince Michael of Kent, brother of the Duke of Kent
  19. Lord High Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)
  20. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (Rt. Rev. Dr. Iain Torrance)
  21. The Prime Minister (The Rt Hon Tony Blair)
  22. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
  23. The Speaker of the House of Commons (Michael Martin)
  24. The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland if a peer
  25. The Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland if a peer
  26. The High Constable of Scotland (the Earl of Erroll)
  27. Master of the Household in Scotland (Duke of Argyll)
  28. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
  29. Dukes
  30. Earl of Ulster, eldest son of HRH The Duke of Gloucester
  31. Earl of St Andrews, eldest son of HRH The Duke of Kent
  32. Ministers, Envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
  33. Lord Great Chamberlain (the Marquess of Cholmondeley)
  34. Marquesses
  35. Eldest sons of Dukes
  36. Earls
  37. Younger sons of Dukes of Blood Royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor)
  38. Eldest sons of Marquesses
  39. Younger sons of Dukes
  40. The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland if not a peer
  41. The Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland if not a peer
  42. Lord Justice-General (The Lord Cullen of Whitekirk)
  43. Lord Advocate (Colin Boyd)
  44. Lord Justice-Clerk (The Rt Hon Lord Gill)
  45. List of Viscounts
  46. Eldest sons of Earls
  47. Younger sons of Marquesses
  48. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a Baron
  49. The Lord Chamberlain of the Household (the Baron Luce)
  50. The Master of the Horse (the Baron Vestey)
  51. Barons and Lords of Parliament
  52. Treasurer of the Household (Bob Ainsworth, also Chief Deputy Whip)
  53. Comptroller of the Household (Thomas McAvoy)
  54. Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Jim Fitzpatrick)
  55. Secretaries of State under the degree of Baron
  56. Eldest sons of Viscounts
  57. Younger sons of Earls
  58. Eldest sons of Barons
  59. Knights of the Garter
  60. Knights of the Thistle
  61. Knights of St Patrick (order obsolete)
  62. Privy Counsellors
  63. Senators of the College of Justice and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court
  64. Younger sons of Viscounts
  65. Younger sons of Barons
  66. Baronets
  67. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  68. Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India
  69. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  70. Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  71. Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  72. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  73. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath
  74. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India
  75. Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George
  76. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire
  77. Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
  78. Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
  79. Solicitor-General for Scotland (See Order of Precedence for Ladies)
  80. Lyon King of Arms (Robin Orr Blair)
  81. Sherrifs-Principal
  82. Knights Bachelors
  83. Sherrifs
  84. Companions of the Order of the Bath
  85. Companions of the Order of the Star of India
  86. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
  87. Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
  88. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
  89. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
  90. Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
  91. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
  92. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
  93. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
  94. Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
  95. Eldest sons of Baronets
  96. Eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
  97. Eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
  98. Eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
  99. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  100. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
  101. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  102. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  103. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  104. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  105. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
  106. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  107. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  108. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  109. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  110. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  111. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
  112. Members of the Order of the British Empire
  113. Younger sons of Baronets
  114. Younger sons of Knights of the Garter
  115. Younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
  116. Younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
  117. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  118. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
  119. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  120. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  121. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  122. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  123. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
  124. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  125. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  126. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  127. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  128. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Ladies

  1. The Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II)
  2. HRH The Countess of Wessex
  3. HRH The Princess Royal
  4. HRH Princess Beatrice of York
  5. HRH Princess Eugenie of York
  6. HRH Princess Louise of Wessex (known as Lady Louise Windsor)
  7. Zara Phillips
  8. HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester (wife of the Queen's late uncle, the 1st Duke of Gloucester)
  9. Viscountess Linley
  10. Lady Sarah Chatto, the Queen's niece
  11. The Hon Margarita Armstrong-Jones, the Queen's grand-niece
  12. HRH The Duchess of Gloucester
  13. HRH The Duchess of Kent
  14. HRH Princess Michael of Kent
  15. Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, sister of the Duke of Kent
  16. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
  17. Duchesses
  18. The Countess of Ulster, wife of the Earl of Ulster
  19. The Countess of St Andrews, wife of the Earl of St Andrews
  20. The Lady Davina Windsor, eldest daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
  21. The Lady Rose Windsor, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
  22. The Lady Helen Taylor, eldest daughter of the Duke of Kent
  23. Marchionesses
  24. Wives of Duke's eldest sons
  25. Daughters of Dukes not married to peers
  26. Countesses
  27. Wives of Marquesses' eldest sons
  28. Viscountesses
  29. Wives of eldest sons of Earls or of Countesses in their own right
  30. Earls' daughters not married to peers
  31. Wives of Marquesses' younger sons
  32. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
  33. Secretaries of State
  34. Wives of Viscounts' eldest sons
  35. Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
  36. Wives of younger sons of Earls or of Countesses in their own right
  37. Wives of eldest sons of Barons or Baronesses
  38. Daughters of Barons or Baronesses
  39. Ladies of the Garter
  40. Ladies of the Thistle
  41. Wives of Knights of the Garter
  42. Wives of Knights of the Thistle
  43. Privy Counsellors
  44. Senators of the College of Justice
  45. Wives of Viscounts' younger sons
  46. Wives of younger sons of Barons or Baronesses
  47. Wives of Baronets
  48. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  49. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  50. Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  51. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  52. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  53. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  54. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  55. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  56. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  57. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  58. Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
  59. Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  60. Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  61. Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
  62. Solicitor-General for Scotland (Elish Angiolini)
  63. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
  64. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  65. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  66. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  67. Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  68. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  69. Companions of the Order of the Bath
  70. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
  71. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
  72. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
  73. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
  74. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India
  75. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
  76. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
  77. Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
  78. Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
  79. Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
  80. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
  81. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
  82. Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
  83. Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
  84. Wives of Senators of the College of Justice
  85. Wives of Knights Bachelor
  86. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
  87. Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
  88. Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers or peeresses
  89. Daughters of sons of peers or peeresses
  90. Wives of the eldest sons of Baronets
  91. Daughters of Baronets
  92. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
  93. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
  94. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
  95. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  96. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
  97. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  98. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  99. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  100. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  101. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
  102. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  103. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  104. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  105. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  106. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  107. Daughters of Knights of the Garter
  108. Daughters of Knights of the Thistle
  109. Daughters of Knights of St Patrick
  110. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  111. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
  112. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  113. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  114. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  115. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  116. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
  117. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  118. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  119. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  120. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  121. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  122. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
  123. Members of the Order of the British Empire
  124. Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
  125. Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
  126. Wives of younger sons of Baronets
  127. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Garter
  128. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
  129. Wives of younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
  130. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  131. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
  132. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  133. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  134. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  135. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
  136. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
  137. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  138. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  139. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  140. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

Local Precedence

  1. The Lord Lieutenant of the County or the Lord Provost of the City:
    • The Lord Provost of Aberdeen (John Reynolds)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Aberdeenshire (Angus Farquharson)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Angus (Georgiana Osborne)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Argyll and Bute (Kenneth MacKinnon)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Ayrshire and Arran (Richard Henderson)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Banffshire (Clare Russell)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Berwickshire (Alexander Trotter)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Caithness (Graham Dunnett)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Clackmannanshire (Sheena Cruickshank)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Dumfries (Ronald Cunningham-Jardine)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Dunbartonshire (Donald Hardie)
    • The Lord Provost of Dundee (John Letford)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for East Lothian (Garth Morrison)
    • The Lord Provost of Edinburgh (Eric Milligan)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Fife (Margaret Dean)
    • The Lord Provost of Glasgow (Elizabeth Cameron)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Inverness (Donald Cameron)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Kincardineshire (The Viscount of Arbuthnott)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Lanarkshire (Gilbert Cox)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Midlothian (Patrick Prenter)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Moray (George Chesworth)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Nairn (Ewen Brodie)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Orkney (Patrick Sutherland Graeme)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Perth and Kinross (Sir David Montgomery)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Renfrewshire (Cameron Parker)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Ross and Cromarty (Roderick Stirling)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale (June Paterson-Brown)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Shetland (John Scott)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (Sir Norman Arthur)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Stirling and Falkirk (James Stirling)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Sutherland (David Houston)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Tweeddale (David Younger)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for the Western Isles (Alexander Matheson)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for West Lothian (Isobel Brydie)
    • HM Lord Lieutenant for Wigtown (Edward Orr-Ewing)
  2. The Provost
  3. The Deputy Provost
  4. Justices of the Peace
  5. The Chief Constable