Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland
The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Neach-gleidhidh Seula Mòr na h-Alba) is the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, and one of the great officers of state in Scotland. The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland is the incumbent First Minister of Scotland, currently Humza Yousaf, since March 2023.
| Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland | |
|---|---|
| Neach-gleidhidh Seula Mòr na h-Alba (Scottish Gaelic) | |
Royal Coat of Arms used by the Monarch in Scotland | |
Flag of Scotland Royal Banner of Scotland | |
| Scottish Government Crown Estate Scotland Registers of Scotland | |
| Status | Great Officer of the Crown in Scotland |
| Member of | Privy Council Scottish Government Scottish Cabinet |
| Residence | Bute House, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Appointer | The Monarch |
| Term length | Whilst serving as First Minister |
| Formation | 1389 |
| First holder | Sir Alexander de Cockburn (1389–1396) |
| Unofficial names | Keeper of the Seal of Scotland Keeper of the Scottish Seal |
| Deputy | Jennifer Henderson, Keeper of the Registers of Scotland |
| Website | Registers of the Great Seal |
Under the terms of a Royal Warrant of 1818, the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, the Lord Clerk Register, the Lord Advocate, and the Lord Justice Clerk are ex-officio Commissioners for the Keeping of the Regalia. Since 1996, the commissioners have also been empowered by another Royal Warrant for the safekeeping of the Stone of Scone and for the arrangement of its return to Westminster Abbey for the next British coronation.
The post was formerly known as Keeper of the Seal of the Kingdom of Scotland. The Keeper of the Registers of Scotland is the Deputy Keeper of the Great Seal, and ultimately responsible for its use. The Register of the Great Seal is the oldest national record in Scotland.