Lord High Admiral of Scotland

The Lord High Admiral of Scotland was one of the Great Offices of State in Scotland before the Union with England in 1707.

Related Topics:
Great Offices of State - Union with England

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The office was one of considerable power, including command of the King's ships and sailors, inspection of all sea ports, harbours, sea coasts. The Admiral appointed judges to decided causes relating to maritime affairs, including both civil and criminal jurisdiction, and juridsiction over creeks, fresh and navigable waterways. The dutes were exercised through Vice-Admirals and Admirals-Depute, later called Judge Admirals.

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Apart from occasional earlier references, the office seems to have originated in the early 15th century, and was held by the Earls of Bothwell, and the Dukes of Lennox. It was one of the heritable offices that Charles II gave to his illegitimate son Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox.

Related Topics:
Charles II - Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox

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By the Act of Union 1707 all admiralty jurisdictions were placed under the Lord High Admiral or Commissioners. Nevertheless the Vice-Admiral of Scotland who received his commission from the Crown continued to appoint the Judge Admiral (until 1782) and Admirals-depute and to rank as an Officer of the Crown. The Admiralty Court in Edinburgh was abolished in 1830.

Related Topics:
Act of Union 1707 - Officer of the Crown

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