List of provosts of Edinburgh

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List of Lords Provost in Edinburgh City Chambers

The Right Honourable Lord Provost of Edinburgh is the convener of the City of Edinburgh local authority. They are elected by the city council and serve not only as the chair of that body, but as a figurehead for the entire city. They are also ex officio the Lord-Lieutenant of Edinburgh. They are 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.

The current Lord Provost[]

In total, there have been 256 Provosts and Lord Provosts.

The current Lord Provost is Frank Ross.

Past provosts of Edinburgh[]

The first named individual overseeing Edinburgh was William de Dederyk, in 1296, who is described as an alderman. The second named alderman is John Wigmer in 1344. This is followed by William Guppeld, 1362–1369, and Sir of Corstorphine in 1373.[1]

14th century[]

  • (1377) John de Quhitness (John of Whiteness) first use of the term "Provost" on 18 May 1377
  • (1378) Sir Adam Forrester (see above)
  • (1381) John de Camera (John of Chambers)
  • (1387) Andrew Yutson or Yichtson
  • (1392) John of Dalrymple

The following decade includes a period with mention only of Baillies.[clarification needed]


15th century[]

  • (1403) Alexander Napier
  • (1408) John Rede
  • (1410-1411) Adam of Farnielee
  • (1413) Sir George of Lauder and Haltoun
  • (1419) Adam of Farnielee
  • (1422) John of Levingtoun (Livingston) (alderman not provost)
  • (1425) Thomas de Cranstoun
  • (1425) William of Liberton
  • (1427) George of Lauder
  • (1428) John of Livingston
  • (1434) Sir Henry Preston of Craigmillar
  • (1435) John of Levingtoun
  • (1437) Alexander Napier of Merchiston
  • (1438 to 1445) Thomas of Cranstoun
  • (1445) Steven Hunter
  • (1446) Patrick Cockburn
  • (1449) Thomas de Cranstoun
  • (1451) George of Fala
  • (1453) Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston
  • (1455) Thomas Oliphant
  • (1456) Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston
  • (1462) Alexander Ker
  • (1466) George Bartraham
  • (1467) Robert Mure of Polkellie
  • (1469) Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston
  • (1477) James Creichton of Ruthven or Rowan
  • (1481) William Bertraham, the first to receive a regular salary (£20 per year)
  • (1482) Sir John Murray of Touchadam
  • (1482) Patrick Barron, of
  • (1484) John Napier of Merchiston, eldest son of Sir Alexander Napier
  • (1485) Sir Jamie Swanney
  • (1486) Sir Patrick Barron, of Spittlefield
  • (1487) John Murray
  • (1487) Patrick Hepburn, 1st Lord Hailes
  • (1488) Thomas Tod
  • (1490) Alexander Hepburne of Quhitsum
  • (1491) Sir Thomas Tod
  • (1492) Richard Lawson of High Riggs
  • (1492) Sir John Murray
  • (1493) Richard Lawson of High Riggs
  • (1494) Walter Barhaham
  • (1496) Sir Thomas Tod
  • (1498) Walter Barhaham or Bertraham
  • (1499) Sir Thomas Tod

16th century[]

17th century[]

Lord Provosts of Edinburgh[]

18th century[]

19th century[]


20th century[]

Sir Thomas Hutchison, Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1921-1923); City of Edinburgh Council; by Glyn Philpot

21st century[]

  • 2003 Lesley Hinds (Labour)
  • 2007 George Grubb (Liberal Democrat) [5]
  • 2012 Donald Wilson (Labour) [6]
  • 2017 Frank Ross (Scottish National Party) [7]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Grant's Old and New Edinburgh
  2. ^ Anderson pp 383-384
  3. ^ Marjoribanks, Roger (2014) "Edinburgh Portrait, Sir John Marjoribanks , Bart, MP (1763–1833)" The Book of the Edinburgh Club, Volume 10, Pp 151-156, ISBN 0-9517284-9-0
  4. ^ "The show's over for Mr Edinburgh". Scotsman.com. 5 May 2003.
  5. ^ "Ex-church minister is city's new Provost". Scotsman.com. 16 May 2007.
  6. ^ "Computer teacher elected Lord Provost of Edinburgh". Scotsman.com. 17 May 2012.
  7. ^ [1]

Sources[]

External links[]

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