First Minister Until the re-establishment of the
Scottish Parliament in 1999, the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland was usually the
Secretary of State for Scotland until the responsibility passed to the First Minister of Scotland. In April 2023, First Minister Humza Yousaf, in his capacity as the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, oversaw the departure of the
Stone of Scone, an ancient symbol of Scotland's nationhood, for
Westminster Abbey for usage in the
Coronation of Charles III and Camilla on 6 May. All incumbent First Ministers assume the role of Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. As Deputy Keeper of the Great Seal, the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland is required to attend the ceremonial appointment of the first minister to the position of the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, and to ensure that the
Seal of Scotland is present during the ceremonial appointment. Once appointed as Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, the office holder has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the monarch which allows the first minister as Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland to lead the country with the support of the Scottish Parliament in the name of the incumbent Monarch.
Appointment being sworn in as First Minister and Keeper of the Great Seal at the
Court of Session The ceremonial appointing of the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland takes place at the
Court of Session in
Edinburgh, witnessed by senior judges with the Seal of Scotland being present. During the ceremonial appointment, the first minister, as the nominee to the position, signs a parchment and takes an oath of allegiance, as set out in the Promissory Oaths Act 1868, and promises to serve the monarch during their tenure as both First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal. Upon appointment as keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, the office holder commands authority to make decisions on behalf of the reigning monarch in the name of the crown. As such, as the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland is also the incumbent first minister of Scotland and leader of the
Scottish Government, they can make decisions regarding the country with the backing of the
Scottish Parliament and the monarch whilst serving as keeper of the Great Seal.
Storage and usage of the seal When not being used for ceremonial purposes, the Great Seal of Scotland is kept at Meadowbank House in Edinburgh. The Great Seal of Scotland is applied to documents as authorised by the Monarch. The Great Seal of Scotland is used to cast a wax seal, which is applied to official documents and acts of law as part of their authentication and approval by the Monarch. The Great Seal of Scotland features the reigning monarch on one side, while the other side shows the Royal Arms as used by the Monarch in Scotland. The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland has complete autonomy to make decision in Scotland on behalf of the crown, and means that the First Minister (as Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland), has complete ability to lead the Scottish Government for as long as they have the support of the
Scottish Parliament. It is applied to each document which has been authorised by the monarch and received
royal assent. Notable documents which are granted the Great Seal of Scotland include
Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Applying the Great Seal of Scotland to each document is part of the authentication process, and each side of the Great Seal of Scotland features the reigning monarch on one side, while the other side depicts the Royal Arms as used in Scotland. Within the Treason Act 1708, Section 12 makes it an act of treason in Scotland to counterfeit the seal.
Responsibilities of office The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland has an overview and responsibility of the following operations and departments in Scotland: •
Crown Estate Scotland •
Ex-officio commissioner for the Keeping of the Regalia, the
Honours of Scotland (The
Crown of Scotland, the
Sceptre and the
Scottish Sword of State) • Protection and granting of use of the
Stone of Scone for coronations of the Monarch • Protector of the
Elizabeth Sword ==List of office holders==