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.
The symbols +1, +2, etc. are to be read "once (twice, etc.) removed in descendancy", i.e., the child or grandchild (etc.) of a cousin of the degree specified. The symbols -1, -2, etc. indicate the converse relationship, i.e., the cousin of a parent or grandparent (etc.).
==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 	No recognised heir 1306–1315 	No recognised heir 1306–1315 	Robert I
Edward, Earl of Carrick 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	27 April 1315 	Proclaimed heir 	14 October 1318 	Died 	Robert I
No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318 	No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318	No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318	No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318	No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318	No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318	No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318	Robert I
Robert 	Heir presumptive 	Grandson 	3 December 1318 	Proclaimed heir 	5 March 1324 	Son born to king 	Robert I
David, Earl of Carrick 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	5 March 1324 	Born 	7 June 1329 	Became king 	Robert I
Robert, High Steward of Scotland	Heir presumptive 	Nephew 	7 June 1329 	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 	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 	No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 	No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 	Robert II
John, Earl of Carrick 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	27 March 1371 	Proclaimed heir 	19 April 1390 	Became king 	None 1371–1373 	Robert II
John, Earl of Carrick 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	27 March 1371 	Proclaimed heir 	19 April 1390 	Became king 	Robert, Earl of Fife 1373–1378, younger brother 	Robert II
John, Earl of Carrick 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	27 March 1371 	Proclaimed heir 	19 April 1390 	Became king 	David 1378–1390, son 	Robert II
David, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	19 April 1390 	Father became king 	26 March 1402 	Died 	Robert, Earl of Fife 1390–1394, uncle 	Robert III
David, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	19 April 1390 	Father became king 	26 March 1402 	Died 	James 1394–1402, younger brother 	Robert III
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	26 March 1402 	Brother died 	4 April 1406 	Became king 	Robert, Duke of Albany, uncle 	Robert III
Robert, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Uncle 	4 April 1406 	Nephew became king 	3 September 1420 	Died 	Murdoch, eldest son 	James I
Murdoch, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin 	3 September 1420 	Father died 	25 May 1425 	Died 	Robert 1420–1421, eldest son 	James I
Murdoch, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin 	3 September 1420 	Father died 	25 May 1425 	Died 	Walter 1421–1425, son 	James I
Murdoch, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin 	3 September 1420 	Father died 	25 May 1425 	Died 	Alexander 1425, son 	James I
Walter, Earl of Atholl 	Heir presumptive 	Uncle 	25 May 1425 	Nephew died 	16 October 1430 	Son born to king 	Alan, Earl of Caithness, eldest son 	James I
Alexander, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	16 October 1430 	Born 	1430 	Died 	James, younger brother 	James I
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	1430 	Brother died 	21 February 1437 	Became king 	Walter, Earl of Atholl, granduncle 	James I
Walter, Earl of Atholl 	Heir presumptive 	Granduncle 	21 February 1437 	Grandnephew became king 	26 March 1437 	Died 	Robert, Master of Atholl, grandson 	James II
No recognised heir 1437–1451 	No recognised heir 1437–1451 	No recognised heir 1437–1451 	No recognised heir 1437–1451 	No recognised heir 1437–1451 	No recognised heir 1437–1451 	No recognised heir 1437–1451 	No recognised heir 1437–1451 	James II
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	10 July 1451 	Born 	3 August 1460 	Became king 	None 1451–1454 	James II
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	10 July 1451 	Born 	3 August 1460 	Became king 	Alexander, Duke of Albany 1454–1460, younger brother 	James II
Alexander, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	3 August 1460 	Brother became king 	17 March 1473 	Son born to king 	John, Earl of Mar, younger brother 	James III
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	17 March 1473 	born 	11 June 1488 	Became king 	Alexander, Duke of Albany 1473–1476, uncle 	James III
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	17 March 1473 	born 	11 June 1488 	Became king 	James 1476–1488, younger brother 	James III
James, Duke of Ross 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	11 June 1488 	Brother became king 	12 January 1504 	Died 	John, Earl of Mar 1488–1503, younger brother 	James IV
James, Duke of Ross 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	11 June 1488 	Brother became king 	12 January 1504 	Died 	John, Duke of Albany 1503–1504, 1st cousin 	James IV
John, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin 	12 January 1504 	Cousin died 	21 February 1507 	Son born to king 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, 1st cousin 	James IV
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	21 February 1507 	Born 	27 February 1508 	Died 	John, Duke of Albany, 1st cousin −1 	James IV
John, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin 	27 February 1508 	King's son died 	20 October 1509 	Son born to king 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, 1st cousin 	James IV
Arthur, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	20 October 1509 	Born 	14 July 1510 	Died 	John, Duke of Albany, 1st cousin −1 	James IV
John, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin 	14 July 1510 	King's son died 	10 April 1512 	Son born to king 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, 1st cousin 	James IV
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	10 April 1512 	Born 	9 September 1513 	Became king 	John, Duke of Albany, 1st cousin −1 	James IV
John, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin −1 	9 September 1513 	Cousin became king 	30 April 1514 	King's brother born 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, 1st cousin 	James V
Alexander, Duke of Ross 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 April 1514 	Born 	18 December 1515 	Died 	John, Duke of Albany, 1st cousin −1 	James V
John, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin −1 	18 December 1515 	Cousin died 	2 July 1536 	Died 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 1515–1529, 1st cousin 	James V
John, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	1st cousin −1 	18 December 1515 	Cousin died 	2 July 1536 	Died 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 1529–1536, 1st cousin −1 	James V
James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 	Heir presumptive 	2nd cousin 	2 July 1536 	Cousin died 	22 May 1540 	son born to king 	Helen Hamilton, Countess of Argyll 1536–1537, elder sister 	James V
James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 	Heir presumptive 	2nd cousin 	2 July 1536 	Cousin died 	22 May 1540 	son born to king 	James Hamilton 1537–1540, eldest son 	James V
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	22 May 1540 	Born 	21 April 1541 	Died 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 1540–1541, 2nd cousin −1 	James V
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	22 May 1540 	Born 	21 April 1541 	Died 	Arthur, Duke of Albany 1541, younger brother 	James V
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	22 May 1540 	Born 	21 April 1541 	Died 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 1541, 2nd cousin −1 	James V
James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 	Heir presumptive 	2nd cousin 	21 April 1541 	King's son died 	8 December 1542 	Daughter born to king 	James Hamilton, eldest son 	James V
Mary 	Heiress presumptive 	Daughter 	8 December 1542 	Born 	14 December 1542 	Became queen 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, 2nd cousin −1 	James V
James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault 	Heir presumptive 	2nd cousin −1 	14 December 1542 	Cousin became queen 	19 June 1566 	Son born to queen 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, eldest son 	Mary I
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	19 June 1566 	Born 	24 July 1567 	Became king 	James Hamilton, 2nd cousin −2 	Mary I
James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 	Heir presumptive 	2nd cousin −2 	24 July 1567 	Cousin became king 	22 January 1575 	Died 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, eldest son 	James VI
James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 	Heir presumptive 	3rd cousin −1 	22 January 1575 	Father died 	19 February 1594 	Son born to king 	John Hamilton, younger brother 	James VI
Henry Frederick, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	19 February 1594 	Born 	6 November 1612 	Died 	James Hamilton, Earl of Arran 1594–1596, 3rd cousin −2 	James VI
Henry Frederick, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	19 February 1594 	Born 	6 November 1612 	Died 	Elizabeth 1596–1600, younger sister 	James VI
Henry Frederick, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	19 February 1594 	Born 	6 November 1612 	Died 	Charles, Duke of Albany 1600–1612, younger brother 	James VI
Charles, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	6 November 1612 	Brother died 	27 March 1625 	Became king 	Elizabeth, Electress Palatine, elder sister 	James VI
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine 	Heiress presumptive 	Elder sister 	27 March 1625 	Brother became king 	29 May 1630 	Son born to king 	Frederick Henry 1625–1629, eldest son 	Charles I
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine 	Heiress presumptive 	Elder sister 	27 March 1625 	Brother became king 	29 May 1630 	Son born to king 	Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine 1629–1630, son 	Charles I
Charles, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	29 May 1630 	Born 	30 January 1649 	Became king 	Elizabeth, Electress Palatine 1630–1631, aunt 	Charles I
Charles, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	29 May 1630 	Born 	30 January 1649 	Became king 	Mary, Princess Royal 1631–1633, younger sister 	Charles I
Charles, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Eldest son 	29 May 1630 	Born 	30 January 1649 	Became king 	James 1633–1649, younger brother 	Charles I
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Henry 1649–1660, younger brother 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange 1660, elder sister	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Charles 1660–1661, son 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Prince William of Orange 1661–1662, nephew 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Princess Mary 1662–1663, daughter 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	James 1663–1667, son 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Princess Mary 1667, daughter 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Edgar 1667–1669, son 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Princess Mary 1669–1677, daughter 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Charles 1677, son 	Charles II
James, Duke of Albany 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	30 January 1649 	Brother became king 	6 February 1685 	Became king 	Mary, Princess of Orange 1677–1685, daughter 	Charles II
Mary, Princess of Orange 	Heiress presumptive 	Elder daughter 	6 February 1685 	Father became king 	10 June 1688 	Brother born 	Princess Anne of Denmark, younger sister 	James VII
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	10 June 1688 	Born 	11 April 1689 	father deposed 	Mary, Princess of Orange, elder sister 	James VII
William II 	Mutual heirs 	Husband 	11 May 1689 	Claim of Right Act 1689 	28 December 1694 	Became sole monarch 	Princess Anne of Denmark, sister(-in-law), 	Mary II
Mary II 	Mutual heirs 	Wife 	11 May 1689 	Claim of Right Act 1689 	28 December 1694 	Died 	Princess Anne of Denmark, sister(-in-law), 	William II
Princess Anne of Denmark 	Heiress apparent 	Sister-in-law and 1st cousin 	28 December 1694 	Sister's death 	8 March 1702 	Became queen 	William 1694–1700, son 	William II
Princess Anne of Denmark 	Heiress apparent 	Sister-in-law and 1st cousin 	28 December 1694 	Sister's death 	8 March 1702 	Became queen 	none 1700–1702 	William II
No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704)	No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704)	No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704)	No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704)	No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704)	No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704)	No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704)	No recognised heir 1702–1707 (see Act of Security 1704) 	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 	Pretender
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	11 April 1689 	Father deposed 	16 September 1701	Became pretender 	Mary, Princess of Orange 1689–1694, elder sister 	James VII
James, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	11 April 1689 	Father deposed 	16 September 1701	Became pretender 	Princess Anne of Denmark 1694–1701, elder sister 	James VII
Princess Anne of Denmark 	Heiress presumptive	Elder sister 	16 September 1701	Father died, brother became pretender	1 August 1714 	Died 	Louisa Maria, Princess Royal 1701–1712, younger sister 	James VIII"The Old Pretender"
Princess Anne of Denmark 	Heiress presumptive	Elder sister 	16 September 1701	Father died, brother became pretender	1 August 1714 	Died 	Anne Marie, Queen of Sicily 1712–1714, 1st cousin 	James VIII"The Old Pretender"
Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia 	Heiress presumptive	1st cousin 	1 August 1714 	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	1st cousin 	1 August 1714 	Cousin died 	31 December 1720 	Son born to pretender 	Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont 1715–1720, son 	James VIII"The Old Pretender"
Charles, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	31 December 1720 	Born 	1 January 1766 	Became pretender 	Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia 1720–1725, 1st cousin -1 	James VIII"The Old Pretender"
Charles, Duke of Rothesay 	Heir apparent 	Son 	31 December 1720 	Born 	1 January 1766 	Became pretender 	Henry 1725–1766, younger brother 	James VIII"The Old Pretender"
Henry 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	1 January 1766 	Brother became pretender 	31 January 1788 	Became pretender 	Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia 1766–1773, 2nd cousin 	Charles III"The Young Pretender"
Henry 	Heir presumptive 	Younger brother 	1 January 1766 	Brother became pretender 	31 January 1788 	Became pretender 	Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia 1773–1788, 2nd cousin +1 	Charles III"The Young Pretender"
Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia 	Heir presumptive 	2nd cousin +1 	31 January 1788 	Cousin became pretender 	14 October 1796 	Died 	Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont 1788–1796, son 	Henry I"Cardinal York"
Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia	Heir presumptive 	2nd cousin +2 	14 October 1796 	Father died 	13 July 1807 	Death of last Stuart pretender	Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia 1796–1807, younger brother	Henry I"Cardinal York"
==See also==
* Family tree of Scottish monarchs
* List of heirs to the British throne
* List of heirs to the English throne
==References==
*http://www.burkes-peerage.net/articles/roking.aspx
*http://www.wargs.com/essays/succession/strathearn.html
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