Lord Provost of Edinburgh

Lord Provost of Edinburgh
Scottish Gaelic: Morair Pròbhaist Dhùn Èideann
Coat of Arms of the City of Edinburgh Council
Incumbent
Robert Aldridge
since 26 May 2022
City of Edinburgh Council
StyleThe Right Honourable
TypeConvener/Chairperson
Member ofCity of Edinburgh Council
Reports toCity of Edinburgh Council
SeatEdinburgh
NominatorCity of Edinburgh Council
AppointerCity of Edinburgh Council
Inaugural holderJohn of Whiteness
Formation13th Century
First holderJohn of Whiteness
DeputyDeputy Lord Provost of Edinburgh
List of Lords Provost in Edinburgh City Chambers

The Right Honourable Lord Provost of Edinburgh is elected by and is the convener of the City of Edinburgh Council and serves not only as the chair of that body, but as a figurehead for the entire city, ex officio the Lord-Lieutenant of Edinburgh and honorarily the Admiral of the Firth of Forth. It is the equivalent in many ways to the institution of Mayor that exists in many other countries.

While some of Scotland's local authorities elect a Provost, only the four main cities (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee) have a Lord Provost. In Edinburgh this position dates from 1667, when Charles II elevated the Provost to the status of Lord Provost, with the same rank and precedence as the Lord Mayor of London. The title of Lord Provost is enshrined in the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.