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Dukes of Scotland

A duke's coronet

Current Scottish Dukedoms

Extinct Scottish Dukedoms

The Dukedom, the first and highest rank in the peerage, was introduced into Scotland as a peerage title by King Robert III  on 28 April 1398 when he created his eldest son, David, known as "the Steward of Scotland", Duke of Rothesay.  It would seem that from its creation it was, like the Dukedom of Cornwall in England, intended to be held by the Heir to the Throne.  It was not until an Act of Parliament, 27 November 1469, that the Lordship of Bute, with the Castle of Rothesay and other lands, were formally settled on the first born son of the Kings of Scotland.  Accordingly each such son has since that period, from either their birth or their father's succession to the Throne, been considered as Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron of Renfrew as also Prince and Steward of Scotland and Lord of the Isles.  The second Dukedom to be created in Scotland was also conferred on 28 April 1398 upon Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife and uncle of the Duke of Rothesay, under the title of Duke of Albany (being defined as those parts of Scotland that are north of the Firths of Clyde and Forth).

As in England, grants of the ducal style were at first strictly confined to near relatives of the King, either by blood or by marriage.  The first subject to receive a dukedom who was not a member or close relation of the Royal Family was David Lindsay, 5th Earl of Crawford, who was created Duke of Montrose in 1488.

The last of the 28 Scottish Dukedoms was that of Roxburghe, created in 1707 for John Ker, 5th Earl of Roxburghe.

A Duke is styled "His Grace" and the "Most Noble" and he is officially addressed by the Crown as "Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin".  This mode of address started in the reign of King Henry IV, who through his immediate family was related or allied to every Earl in the kingdom.  When a Duke or any other peer is a member of the Privy Council the word "Counsellor" is placed before his name, for instance:  "Victoria......To Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellor, George Douglas, Duke of Argyll.....Greeting!".

He bears also, upon some occasions, the title of "Most High, Potent and Noble Prince".

In common with all peers, Dukes are entitled to both coronation and parliamentary robes.  The Coronation Robe, which, as the name suggests, is worn only at the Coronation of the Sovereign, is of crimson velvet, edged with white fur and having four rows of ermine on the white fur cape.  Duchesses are entitled to wear coronation robes similar to those of a Duke, these being edged with a five inch border of white fur with a train two yards on the ground.  The Parliamentary Robe of Estate of a Duke, which is worn for the State Opening of Parliament or by those taking part in the ceremony of Introduction of a new peer, is of fine scarlet cloth lined with taffeta.  It is trimmed with four guards (or bands) of ermine and gold lace, and is tied at the left shoulder with a white ribbon.

Coronet - A circle of gold, surmounted by eight golden strawberry leaves; a cap of crimson velvet, turned up ermine, thereon a golden tassel.

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