As the Sovereign's personal representative Lord High Commissioners were appointed to the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland between 1603 and 1707.

The Act of Union made this function redundant, but a Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is still appointed each year, as the Sovereign's personal representative

On behalf of the Sovereign, the Lord High Commissioner attends the General Assembly, makes the opening and closing addresses to the Assembly, and carries out a number of official visits and ceremonial functions, not all related to the Church of Scotland.

While the General Assembly is meeting, the Lord High Commissioner is treated as if a regent. By custom, he is referred to as "Your Grace", and is greeted with a bow or curtsey. He resides at Holyrood Palace, is entitled, by law, to use the old royal standard of Scotland — the "lion rampant" flag, and has precedence immediately after the Sovereign, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Rothesay, and before the rest of the Royal family. Even his official car received special treatment, and, except for the Queen's, is the only vehicle in the country not to have a numberplate. However, the plate is re-attached during the closing speech of the Assembly, and the Lord High Commissioner returns to his royal but temporary residence as an ordinary citizen.

The Lord High Commissioner for the 2005 General Assembly will be Lord Mackay of Clashfern, former Lord Chancellor.

See also

Church of Scotland

Notes

Precedence

At the beginning of the 20th century the Commissioner was second only to the Sovereign.

Previous Lords High Commissioner

• 2004 Lord Steel of Aikwood
• 2003 Lord Steel of Aikwood, former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
• 2002 Her Majesty the Queen attended in person
• 2001 Viscount Younger of Leckie, former Secretary of State for Scotland (as George Younger MP)
• 2000 The Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay
• 1999 Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld
• 1998 Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld
• 1997 Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden
• 1996 Princess Anne, Princess Royal
• 1995 Lady Marion Fraser
• 1994 Lady Marion Fraser
• 1993 Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden
• 1992 Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden
• 1991 Lord Ross
• 1990 Lord Ross, Lord Justice Clerk
• 1987 John Campbell Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott
• 1986 John Campbell Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott
• 1981 Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin, 15th Earl of Kincardine
• 1980 Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin, 15th Earl of Kincardine
• 1977 Francis David Charteris, 12th Earl of Wemyss, 8th Earl of March
• 1974 Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson
• 1964 General Sir Richard O'Connor
• 1960 Francis David Charteris, 12th Earl of Wemyss, 8th Earl of March
• 1959 Francis David Charteris, 12th Earl of Wemyss, 8th Earl of March
• 1957 Walter Elliot
• 1956 Walter Elliot
• 1951 George Mathers MP
• 1948 George Mathers MP
• 1947 George Mathers MP
• 1946 George Mathers MP
• 1935 John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir
• 1934 John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir, Author (The 39 Steps)
• 1926 Edward James Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin, 14th Earl of Kincardine
• 1925 Edward James Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin, 14th Earl of Kincardine
• 1889 John Adrian Louis Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun
• 1888 John Adrian Louis Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun
• 1887 John Adrian Louis Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun

External Links

Church of Scotland website