Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland

The office of Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, one of the Great Officers of State, first appears in the reign of David II. After the Act of Union 1707 its holder was normally a peer, like the Keeper of the Great Seal. The office has remained unfilled since the death of Gavin, Marquess of Breadalbane in 1922.

Section 3 of the Public Offices Act 1817 limited the salary for the office to a maximum of £1,200 per annum. The salary was paid out of the fees charged for instruments passing the Privy Seal, after the salary of the Deputy Keeper had been paid.

Keepers of the Privy Seal of Scotland, 1424–1922

• 1424: Walter Foote, Provost of Bothwell
• 1426: John Cameron, Provost of Lincluden, Bishop of Glasgow
• 1432: William Foulis, Provost of Bothwell
• 1442: William Turnbull, canon of Glasgow
• 1458: Thomas Spens, Bishop of Galloway
• 1459: John Arouse
• 1463: James Lindsay, Provost of Lincluden
• 1467: Thomas Spens (again), Bishop of Aberdeen
• 1470: William Tulloch, Bishop of Orkney, later of Moray
• 1482: Andrew Stewart, Bishop of Moray and half-brother to James III
• 1483: David Livingston, Provost of Lincluden
• 1489: John, Prior of St Andrews
• 1500: William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen
• 1507:......
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