Historiographer Royal (Scotland)

For other uses, see Historiographer Royal.

The Historiographer Royal is a member of the Royal household of Scotland. The office was created in 1681, and was in abeyance from 1709 until 1763 when it was revived for Principal William Robertson of the University of Edinburgh.

The post, which now has no formal responsibilities or salary, is appointed by the Sovereign by Letters Patent passed under the Great Seal of Scotland.[1]

The current office-holder is Christopher Smout, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of St Andrews.

  1. ^ The Laws of Scotland: Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia, Vol. 7 "The Crown", para 845. However the appointment of Mackie in 1958 appears to have been by Royal Warrant rather than Letters Patent.