# List of heirs to the Scottish throne

This is a list of the individuals who were, at any given time, considered the next in line to inherit the throne of Scotland, should the incumbent monarch die. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold. Stillborn children and infants surviving less than a month are not included.
It may be noted that although the Crown could pass through the female line (for example to the House of Dunkeld in 1034), in the High Middle Ages it is doubtful whether a queen regnant would have been accepted as ruler.
Significant breaks in the succession, where the designated heir did not in fact succeed (due to usurpation, conquest, revolution, or lack of heirs) are shown as breaks in the table below.

## 1124 to 1290

| Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir | Reason | Ceased to be heir | Reason | Monarch |
| Henry, Earl of Huntingdon | Heir apparent | Son | 23 April 1124 | Father became king | 12 June 1152 | Died | David I |
| Malcolm | Heir apparent | Grandson | 12 June 1152 | Father died | 24 May 1153 | Became king | David I |
| William, Earl of Northumbria | Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 24 May 1153 | Brother became king | 9 December 1165 | Became king | Malcolm IV |
| David, Earl of Huntingdon | Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 9 December 1165 | Brother became king | 1193 | Daughter born to king | William I |
| Margaret | Heiress presumptive | Eldest daughter | 1193 | Born | 24 August 1198 | Brother born | William I |
| Alexander | Heir apparent | Son | 24 August 1198 | Born | 4 December 1214 | Became king | William I |
| Margaret, Countess of Kent | Heiress presumptive | Elder sister | 4 December 1214 | Brother became king | 4 September 1241 | Son born to king | Alexander II |
| Alexander | Heir apparent | Son | 4 September 1241 | Born | 8 July 1249 | Became king | Alexander II |
| Margaret, Countess of Kent | Heiress presumptive | Aunt | 8 July 1249 | Nephew became king | 25 November 1259 | Died | Alexander III |
| Isabella, Countess of Norfolk | Heiress presumptive | Aunt | 25 November 1259 | Sister died | 28 February 1261 | Daughter born to king | Alexander III |
| Margaret | Heiress presumptive | Daughter | 28 February 1261 | Born | 21 January 1264 | Brother born | Alexander III |
| Alexander | Heir apparent | Eldest son | 21 January 1264 | Born | 28 January 1284 | Died | Alexander III |
| Margaret | Heiress presumptive | Granddaughter | 28 January 1284 | Uncle died | 19 March 1286 | Became lady and queen | Alexander III |
| No recognised heir 1286–1290 | No recognised heir 1286–1290 | No recognised heir 1286–1290 | No recognised heir 1286–1290 | No recognised heir 1286–1290 | No recognised heir 1286–1290 | No recognised heir 1286–1290 | Margaret |

## 1292 to 1296

| Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir | Reason | Ceased to be heir | Reason | Monarch |
| Edward | Heir apparent | Eldest son | 17 November 1292 | Father became king | 10 July 1296 | Father abdicated | John |

## 1306 to 1371

| Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir Reason | Ceased to be heir Reason | Monarch |
| No recognised heir 1306–1315 | No recognised heir 1306–1315 | No recognised heir 1306–1315 | No recognised heir 1306–1315 | No recognised heir 1306–1315 | Robert I |
| Edward Bruce, Earl of Carrick | Heir presumptive | Brother | 27 April 1315 Proclaimed heir | 14 October 1318 Died | Robert I |
| Robert I |||||
| Robert Stewart | Heir presumptive | Grandson | 3 December 1318 Proclaimed heir | 5 March 1324 Twin sons born to king | Robert I |
| David Bruce, Earl of Carrick | Heir apparent | Son | 5 March 1324 Born | 7 June 1329 Became king | Robert I |
| Robert Stewart, 7th High Steward of Scotland | Heir presumptive | Half-nephew | 7 June 1329 Half-uncle became king | 22 February 1371 Became king | David II |

## 1371 to 1707

| Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir Reason | Ceased to be heir Reason | Next in succession Relation to heir | Monarch |
| No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 | No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 | No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 | No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 | No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 | No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 | Robert II |
| John Stewart, Earl of Carrick | Heir apparent | Son | 27 March 1371 Proclaimed heir | 19 April 1390 Became king | None 1371–1373 | Robert II |
| John Stewart, Earl of Carrick | Heir apparent | Son | 27 March 1371 Proclaimed heir | 19 April 1390 Became king | Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife 1373–1378, Brother | Robert II |
| John Stewart, Earl of Carrick | Heir apparent | Son | 27 March 1371 Proclaimed heir | 19 April 1390 Became king | David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay 1378–1390, Son | Robert II |
| David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 April 1390 Father became king | 26 March 1402 Died in captivity | Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife 1390–1394, Uncle | Robert III |
| David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 April 1390 Father became king | 26 March 1402 Died in captivity | James Stewart 1394–1402, Brother | Robert III |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 26 March 1402 Brother died | 4 April 1406 Became king | Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany Uncle | Robert III |
| Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Uncle | 4 April 1406 Nephew became king | 3 September 1420 Died | Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany Son | James I |
| Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin | 3 September 1420 Father died | 25 May 1425 Executed | Robert Stewart 1420–1421, Son | James I |
| Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin | 3 September 1420 Father died | 25 May 1425 Executed | Walter Stewart 1421–1425, Son | James I |
| Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin | 3 September 1420 Father died | 25 May 1425 Executed | Alexander Stewart 1425, Son | James I |
| Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl | Heir presumptive | Half-uncle | 25 May 1425 Half-nephew executed | 16 October 1430 Twin sons born to king | Alan Stewart, Earl of Caithness Son | James I |
| Alexander Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 16 October 1430 Born | 1430 Died | James Stewart Brother | James I |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 1430 Brother died | 21 February 1437 Father assassinated, became king | Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl Granduncle | James I |
| Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl | Heir presumptive | Half-granduncle | 21 February 1437 Half-grandnephew became king | 26 March 1437 Executed, grandson executed on same day | Robert Stewart, Master of Atholl Grandson | James II |
| James II ||||||
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 10 July 1451 Born | 3 August 1460 Became king | None 1451–1454 | James II |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 10 July 1451 Born | 3 August 1460 Became king | Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany 1454–1460, Brother | James II |
| Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 3 August 1460 Brother became king | 17 March 1473 Son born to king | John Stewart, Earl of Mar Brother | James III |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 17 March 1473 Born | 11 June 1488 Father killed in battle, became king | Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany 1473–1476, Uncle | James III |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 17 March 1473 Born | 11 June 1488 Father killed in battle, became king | James Stewart, Duke of Ross 1476–1488, Brother | James III |
| James Stewart, Duke of Ross | Heir presumptive | Brother | 11 June 1488 Brother became king | January 1504 Died | John Stewart, Earl of Mar 1488–1503, Brother | James IV |
| James Stewart, Duke of Ross | Heir presumptive | Brother | 11 June 1488 Brother became king | January 1504 Died | John Stewart, Duke of Albany 1503–1504, First cousin | James IV |
| John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin | January 1504 First cousin died | 21 February 1507 Son born to king | James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran First cousin | James IV |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 21 February 1507 Born | 27 February 1508 Died | John Stewart, Duke of Albany First cousin once-removed | James IV |
| John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin | 27 February 1508 First cousin once-removed died | 20 October 1509 Son born to king | James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran First cousin | James IV |
| Arthur Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 20 October 1509 Born | 14 July 1510 Died | John Stewart, Duke of Albany First cousin once-removed | James IV |
| John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin | 14 July 1510 First cousin once-removed died | 10 April 1512 Son born to king | James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran First cousin | James IV |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 10 April 1512 Born | 9 September 1513 Father killed in battle, became king | John Stewart, Duke of Albany First cousin once-removed | James IV |
| John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin once-removed | 9 September 1513 First cousin once-removed became king | 30 April 1514 Posthumous son born to James IV | James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran First cousin | James V |
| Alexander Stewart, Duke of Ross | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 April 1514 Born posthumously | 18 December 1515 Died | John Stewart, Duke of Albany First cousin once-removed | James V |
| John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin once-removed | 18 December 1515 First cousin once-removed died | 2 June 1536 Died | James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran 1515–1529, First cousin | James V |
| John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | First cousin once-removed | 18 December 1515 First cousin once-removed died | 2 June 1536 Died | James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 1529–1536, First cousin once-removed | James V |
| James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | Second cousin | 2 June 1536 First cousin once-removed died | 22 May 1540 Son born to king | Helen Campbell, Countess of Argyll 1536–1537, Sister | James V |
| James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | Second cousin | 2 June 1536 First cousin once-removed died | 22 May 1540 Son born to king | James Hamilton 1537–1540, Son | James V |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 22 May 1540 Born | 21 April 1541 Died | James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 1540–1541, Second cousin once-removed | James V |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 22 May 1540 Born | 21 April 1541 Died | Arthur Stewart, Duke of Albany 1541, Brother | James V |
| James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 22 May 1540 Born | 21 April 1541 Died | James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 1541, Second cousin once-removed | James V |
| James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | Second cousin | 21 April 1541 Second cousin once-removed died | 8 December 1542 Daughter born to king | James Hamilton Son | James V |
| Mary Stewart | Heiress presumptive | Daughter | 8 December 1542 Born | 14 December 1542 Became queen | James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran Second cousin once-removed | James V |
| James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | Second cousin once-removed | 14 December 1542 Second cousin once-removed became queen | 19 June 1566 Son born to queen | James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran Son | Mary I |
| James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 June 1566 Born | 24 July 1567 Mother abdicated, became king | James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran Second cousin twice-removed | Mary I |
| James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | Second cousin twice-removed | 24 July 1567 Second cousin twice-removed became king | 22 January 1575 Died | James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran Son | James VI |
| James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | Third cousin once-removed | 22 January 1575 Father died | 19 February 1594 Son born to king | John Hamilton Brother | James VI |
| Henry Frederick Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 February 1594 Born | 6 November 1612 Died | James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran 1594–1596, Third cousin twice-removed | James VI |
| Henry Frederick Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 February 1594 Born | 6 November 1612 Died | Elizabeth Stuart 1596–1600, Sister | James VI |
| Henry Frederick Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 February 1594 Born | 6 November 1612 Died | Charles Stuart, Duke of Albany 1600–1612, Brother | James VI |
| Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 6 November 1612 Brother died | 27 March 1625 Became king | Elizabeth, Electress Palatine Sister | James VI |
| Elizabeth, Electress Palatine | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 27 March 1625 Brother became king | 13 May 1629 Son born to king | Electoral Prince Frederick Henry of the Palatinate 1625–1629, Son | Charles I |
| Elizabeth, Electress Palatine | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 27 March 1625 Brother became king | 13 May 1629 Son born to king | Electoral Prince Charles Louis of the Palatinate 1629, Son | Charles I |
| Charles James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 13 May 1629 Born | 13 May 1629 Died | Elizabeth, Electress Palatine Aunt | Charles I |
| Elizabeth, Electress Palatine | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 13 May 1629 Nephew died | 29 May 1630 Son born to king | Prince Charles Louis of the Palatinate Son | Charles I |
| Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 29 May 1630 Born | 30 January 1649 Proclaimed king | Elizabeth, Electress Palatine 1630–1631, Aunt | Charles I |
| Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 29 May 1630 Born | 30 January 1649 Proclaimed king | Mary Stuart 1631–1633, Sister | Charles I |
| Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 29 May 1630 Born | 30 January 1649 Proclaimed king | James Stuart 1633–1649, Brother | Charles I |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Henry Stuart 1649–1660, Brother | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange 1660, Sister | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Charles Stuart 1660–1661, Son | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | William III, Prince of Orange 1661–1662, Nephew | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Mary Stuart 1662–1663, Daughter | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | James Stuart 1663–1667, Son | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Mary Stuart 1667, Daughter | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Edgar Stuart 1667–1671, Son | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Mary, Princess of Orange 1671–1677, Daughter | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Charles Stuart 1677, Son | Charles II |
| James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king | 6 February 1685 Became king | Mary, Princess of Orange 1677–1685, Daughter | Charles II |
| Mary, Princess of Orange | Heiress presumptive | Daughter | 6 February 1685 Father became king | 10 June 1688 Son born to king | Princess Anne of Denmark Sister | James VII |
| James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 10 June 1688 Born | 11 May 1689 Father deposed, excluded from succeeding | Mary, Princess of Orange Sister | James VII |
| William II | Mutual heirs | Husband | 13 February 1689 Became joint monarchs | 28 December 1694 Became sole monarch | Princess Anne of Denmark Sister(-in-law) | Mary II |
| Mary II | Mutual heirs | Wife | 13 February 1689 Became joint monarchs | 28 December 1694 Died | Princess Anne of Denmark Sister(-in-law) | William II |
| Princess Anne of Denmark | Heiress apparent | Sister-in-law / First cousin | 28 December 1694 Sister died | 8 March 1702 Became queen | Prince William of Denmark 1694–1700, Son | William II |
| Princess Anne of Denmark | Heiress apparent | Sister-in-law / First cousin | 28 December 1694 Sister died | 8 March 1702 Became queen | None 1700–1702 | William II |
| No recognised heir 1702–1707 | No recognised heir 1702–1707 | No recognised heir 1702–1707 | No recognised heir 1702–1707 | No recognised heir 1702–1707 | No recognised heir 1702–1707 | Anne |

## Jacobite succession, 1689–1807

The following are the heirs of the Jacobite pretenders to the throne to the death of the last Stuart pretender. For other persons in this lineage, see Jacobite succession.
| Heir | Status | Relationship to Pretender | Became heir Reason | Ceased to be heir Reason | Next in succession Relation to heir | Pretender |
| James Stuart, Prince of Wales | Heir apparent | Son | 13 February 1689 Father deposed | 16 September 1701 Became pretender | Mary, Princess of Orange 1689–1694, Sister | James VII |
| James Stuart, Prince of Wales | Heir apparent | Son | 13 February 1689 Father deposed | 16 September 1701 Became pretender | Princess Anne of Denmark 1694–1701, Sister | James VII |
| Princess Anne of Denmark | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 16 September 1701 Brother became pretender | 1 August 1714 Died | Louisa Maria Stuart, Princess Royal 1701–1712, Sister | James VIII "The Old Pretender" |
| Princess Anne of Denmark | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 16 September 1701 Brother became pretender | 1 August 1714 Died | Anne Marie, Queen of Scilly 1712–1714, First cousin | James VIII "The Old Pretender" |
| Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia | Heiress presumptive | First cousin | 1 August 1714 First cousin died | 31 December 1720 Son born to pretender | Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont 1714–1715, Son | James VIII "The Old Pretender" |
| Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia | Heiress presumptive | First cousin | 1 August 1714 First cousin died | 31 December 1720 Son born to pretender | Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont 1715–1720, Son | James VIII "The Old Pretender" |
| Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales | Heir apparent | Son | 31 December 1720 Born | 1 January 1766 Became pretender | Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia 1720–1725, First cousin once-removed | James VIII "The Old Pretender" |
| Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales | Heir apparent | Son | 31 December 1720 Born | 1 January 1766 Became pretender | Henry Stuart, Duke of York 1725–1766, Brother | James VIII "The Old Pretender" |
| Henry Stuart, Duke of York | Heir presumptive | Brother | 1 January 1766 Brother became pretender | 31 January 1788 Became pretender | King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia 1766–1773, Second cousin | Charles III "The Young Pretender" |
| Henry Stuart, Duke of York | Heir presumptive | Brother | 1 January 1766 Brother became pretender | 31 January 1788 Became pretender | King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia 1773–1788, Second cousin once-removed | Charles III "The Young Pretender" |
| King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia | Heir presumptive | Second cousin once-removed | 31 January 1788 Second cousin once-removed became pretender | 14 October 1796 Died | Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont Son | Henry I "Cardinal York" |
| King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia | Heir presumptive | Second cousin twice-removed | 14 October 1796 Father died | 13 July 1807 Last Stuart pretender died | King Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia Brother | Henry I "Cardinal York" |