Honour for Lord Mackay of Clashfern
9 May 07
Former Lord Chancellor is appointed Lord Clerk Register
The Queen has appointed the former Lord Chancellor Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT to the offices of Lord Clerk Register and Keeper of the Signet.
The Lord Clerk Register is one of the great officers of state of Scotland. The office is largely ceremonial in nature and carries no remuneration or special privileges, other than its status as an ancient historic office. The previous Lord Clerk Register, the Earl of Wemyss and March KT, held the office for over 30 years from 1974.
The holder of the office is one of the Commissioners of the Regalia of Scotland, with responsibility for the safekeeping of the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) and the Stone of Destiny, and is the Keeper of Her Majesty's Signet. In the latter capacity, the Lord Clerk Register also fulfils a ceremonial function as the senior officer of the Society of Writers to the Signet.
The appointment was made on the recommendation of First Minister Jack McConnell.