Duke of Rothesay

The title Duke of Rothesay was the official title possessed by the Heir Apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland. A separate Scottish throne has not existed since the Act of Union 1707 which merged the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England to form the Kingdom of Great Britain (later known as the United Kingdom after a further merger with the Kingdom of Ireland). The title is now held by the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom. It is the title mandated for use by the heir apparent when in Scotland, in preference of the English titles Duke of Cornwall (which also belongs to the eldest son of the monarch by right) and Prince of Wales (traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent of the United Kingdom). The Duke of Rothesay also holds other Scottish titles, including those of Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Lord High Steward.

Lord of the Isles

Another of the non-peerage titles belonging to the heir-apparent, that of Lord of the Isles, merits special mention. The Lords of the Isles, of the MacDonald family, originally functioned as vassals of the Scottish – or Norwegian – Kings who ruled the Western Isles. The ambitious John MacDonald II, fourth Lord of the Isles, made a secret treaty in 1462 with King Edward IV of England, by which he sought to make himself an independent ruler. In 1475, James III discovered the Lord of the Isles' actions, and the Lordship became subject to forfeiture. MacDonald later regained his position, but James IV again deprived him of his titles in 1493 after his nephew provoked a rebellion. In 1540 James V of Scotland granted the Lordship to the heirs-apparent to the Crown.

Related Topics:
Lord of the Isles - Western Isles - Edward IV of England - 1475 - James III - James IV - 1493 - 1540 - James V of Scotland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~