# James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie

James Hubert Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie, GCVO, DL (born 17 January 1948), styled Lord Ramsay between 1950 and 1999, is a Scottish peer, courtier and landowner. He is chief of Clan Ramsay and Deputy Captain General of the King's Body Guard for Scotland. In that role, he took part in the Royal Procession at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.

## Early life and education

Dalhousie was born on 17 January 1948, the son of Simon Ramsay, later 16th Earl of Dalhousie, and his wife Margaret Elizabeth Mary Stirling (1914–1997). His mother was a sister of Sir David Stirling, founder of the Special Air Service, and therefore (a descendant of Charles II). He was educated at Ampleforth College.
In 1968, Dalhousie, then styled Lord Ramsay, trained at the Mons Officer Cadet School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Coldstream Guards. In 1971 he transferred from the active list to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers.

## Career

Dalhousie had a career in investment banking. On 15 July 1999, his father died and he succeeded to the earldom of Dalhousie as the 17th Earl. He briefly sat in the House of Lords as a Conservative, he lost his seat four months later with the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999.
Dalhousie was appointed Lord Steward of Household on 22 July 2009 on the retirement of the 5th Duke of Abercorn. He relinquished his appointment on 22 February 2023 and was succeeded by the 7th Earl of Rosslyn.
He has been Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Angus since 10 December 2002.

## Marriage and issue

On 3 October 1973, the then Lord Ramsay married Marilyn Davina Butter (born 22 March 1950), second daughter of Sir David and Lady Butter, at the Guards' Chapel, Wellington Barracks. They have three children:
* Lady Lorna Theresa Ramsay (born 6 February 1975), married Fergus Lefebvre in 2005, has issue
* Lady Alice Magdalene Ramsay (born 10 August 1977), married Michael Dickinson, has issue
* Simon David Ramsay, Lord Ramsay (born 18 April 1981), married Kaitlin Kubinsky in 2016, has issue
In 2019, he listed Brechin Castle, the family seat in Angus, for sale through Savills. Lord and Lady Dalhousie moved to a small house of the estate, which they retained most of. Much of the family's immovable properties have been vested into Dalhousie Estates, a family-run business engaged in farming, property letting and forestry, including shooting, fishing and deer stalking. The business venture provides employment for over 90 people.
Lady Dalhousie is a patroness of the Royal Caledonian Ball.

## Honours

* 17 January 2012: Commander (Brother) of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (CStJ)
* 25 March 2023: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)

### Honorary military appointments

* 1 June 2008: Honorary Captain, His Majesty's Royal Naval Reserve

## Arms

Coat of arms of James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie :
* CoronetA Coronet of an Earl
* CrestAn Unicorn's Head couped at the neck armed maned and tufted Or
* EscutcheonArgent an Eagle displayed Sable beaked and membered Gules
* SupportersOn the dexter side a Griffin Argent, and on the sinister side a Greyhound Argent gorged with a Collar Gules charged with three Escallops of the first
* MottoOra Et Labora (Pray and work!)