Master (Peerage of Scotland) facts for kids
In Scotland, a special title called Master is given to the person who is expected to inherit a noble title, like a Duke or an Earl. If the person is a girl or woman, she is called a Mistress. This title shows that they are the next in line to become a Scottish noble.
The full title would be "The Master of [Name of Peerage]" or "The Mistress of [Name of Peerage]". For example, "The Master of Forbes".
Sometimes, if the person who will inherit is the direct heir (meaning they are definitely next in line and can't be replaced), and their family has another smaller noble title, they might use that smaller title instead of "Master". This smaller title is like a polite nickname. But if they are not the direct heir (meaning someone else could still come along and take their place in line), or if there isn't a smaller title, then "Master" or "Mistress" is often used.
The word "Mistress" sounds quite old-fashioned today. Because of this, many women who are next in line choose not to use "Mistress". Instead, they might use other polite titles like "Lady" or "The Honourable".
Even though "Master" sounds like a polite title, it's actually a real noble rank in Scotland. Long ago, people with the "Master" title had the right to attend the Scottish Parliament. After Scotland and England joined together in 1707, these Masters were not allowed to be elected to the British Parliament for Scottish areas. If a Master was elected, their election was cancelled. This meant they couldn't sit in either house of the British Parliament. This rule changed in 1832, and after that, Masters could be elected to Parliament just like anyone else.
People Who Were Disqualified From Parliament
For a long time, Masters of Scottish peerages could not be Members of Parliament (MPs) in the British House of Commons. This table shows some examples of Masters who were elected but then disqualified because of this rule.
| MP disqualified | Constituency | Father | Year of election | Year of disqualification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William, Lord Haddo | Aberdeenshire | George Gordon, 1st Earl of Aberdeen | 1708 | 1708 | |
| James, Lord Johnstone | Dumfriesshire & Linlithgowshire | William Johnstone, 1st Marquess of Annandale | 1708 | 1708 | Elected for two areas; disqualified from both |
| John, Master of Sinclair | Dysart Burghs | Henry St Clair, 10th Lord Sinclair | 1708 | 1708 | |
| William, Lord Strathnaver | Tain Burghs | John Gordon, 16th Earl of Sutherland | 1708 | 1708 | |
| Charles, Earl of Drumlanrig | Dumfriesshire | Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry | 1747 | 1754 | Disqualified when he became his father's oldest living son |
| John, Marquess of Lorne | Glasgow Burghs | John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll | 1744 | 1761 | Disqualified when his father inherited the noble title |
| Francis, Lord Elcho | Haddington Burghs | Francis Wemyss Charteris, soi disant 7th Earl of Wemyss | 1780 | 1787 | Disqualified when his father took on the noble title |
Current Masters and Mistresses
Here are some people who currently hold the title of Master or Mistress in Scotland:
- Lord Alistair Hay, Master of Tweeddale. He is expected to inherit the title of Marquess of Tweeddale.
- Susan of Mar, Mistress of Mar. She is expected to inherit the title of Earl of Mar.
- Alexander David Erskine, Master of Mar and Kellie. He is expected to inherit the titles of Earl of Mar and Kellie.
- Geoffrey Charles Murray, Master of Dunmore. He is expected to inherit the title of Earl of Dunmore.
- Alexander Cary, Master of Falkland, Master of Falkland. He is the direct heir to the title of Viscount of Falkland.
- Christopher Keith Arbuthnott, Master of Arbuthnott. He is the direct heir to the title of Viscount of Arbuthnott.
- Neil Malcolm Ross Forbes, Master of Forbes. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Forbes.
- Katharine Fraser, Mistress of Saltoun, Mistress of Saltoun. She is expected to inherit the title of Lord Saltoun.
- Jack Fraser, Master of Lovat, Master of Lovat. He is expected to inherit the title of Lord Lovat.
- Francis Sempill, Master of Sempill. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Sempill.
- Jago Alexander Elphinstone, Master of Elphinstone. He is expected to inherit the title of Lord Elphinstone.
- Laetitia Bruce-Winkler, Mistress of Burleigh. She is expected to inherit the title of Lord Balfour of Burleigh.
- Lewis Edward Palmer, Master of Dingwall. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Dingwall.
- William Alexander Hugh Napier, Master of Napier. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Napier.
- Alexander Shimi Markus Mackay, Master of Reay. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Reay.
- Frederick Carmichael Arthur Hamilton, Master of Belhaven. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Belhaven and Stenton.
- James David William Rollo, Master of Rollo. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Rollo.
- William Henry Hepburne-Scott, Master of Polwarth. He is the direct heir to the title of Lord Polwarth.
