This Volume includes both the details of the major families of Scotland and the shorter Biographical details of other members of the titled and non-titled contemporary Scottish establishment. As the Indexes show there are many ways to search the entire genealogical database included.

The data included was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press on June 1st 2001.

At the web site all updates received will be added on a regular basis, commencing from January 2002. Accordingly, having made use of this printed Volume in our 19th Edition it will always be wise to check the online database to see what if any changes might have occurred since.

The 19th edition of Burke`s Landed Gentry of Great Britain, Volume 1, The Kingdom in Scotland has remained true to the tradition of laying out successive generations of Families by indenting each one a further space to the right. However, unlike previous editions, the first generation is marked in regular arabic numerals as 1a for the first generation, 1b for the second generation and so on for successive generations exactly as in past editions, thus:

Sir Robert Spencer-Nairn, and had issue;
  1a Douglas Leslie Spencer (Sir).
  2a + Michael Alastair Spencer etc, m. etc, and has issue;
    1b Alastair Ian.
    2b + Angus, etc, m. etc, and has issue;
       1c + Michael Angus.
       1c ● Fiona Louise.

On the web site, this system is most considerably reinforced by showing each generation in a different colour.

In the 19th edition, all living people, with the exception of former spouses, are marked with either a cross (+) or a bullet (●). (In earlier editions a diamond or a cross was used.) Those with a cross are usually in remainder to the main title of the family title in question. Sometimes such persons are only in remainder to a subsidiary title, such as a baronetcy conferred before the peerage came into existence, and in such cases the situation is explained, usually in biographical details concerning the ancestor from whom their branch of the family descends. Living people marked with a bullet are not in remainder to any of the titles being dealt with.

The current head of the family and/or the holder of the title under discussion, whether appearing in the line section or at the head of the entire article, is not given either a + or a ● sign as he (or she) cannot be in remainder to his/her own title.

As most hereditary titles can descend only to males, sons continue to be listed before daughters. Fathers-in-law where mentioned as being 'of' a place refers to the domicile at the time of his child's marriage, but in the case of a Scottish chieftain, feudal Baron or Laird no comma will be found between his surname and his territorial designation. Where two people are each a member of a family in Burke's Landed Gentry their children are usually listed in one article only, and a cross-reference to them is given in the other article. The choice of the family in which to list the children is dictated by which title those children are in remainder to, if any.

In some cases, specific date may not be given e.g. 1573-4 rather than 1573. These arise between January and the end of March during those years before the mid-18th century. The reason being that until the English calendar reform of the years 1750-53 the year was calculated as beginning in spring and was compounded by the out of step Julian Calendar still being in use. Unfortunately it is not always clear which side of a single date the overlap occurred, i.e. whether, when one comes across an event said to taken place in February 1573, that means 1572-3 or 1573-4.

Where possible, Burke's Landed Gentry has placed family entries under illustrations of their matriculated arms. The incumbent, or title holder appears at the head of the family entry in bold, followed by his/her biography and children where applicable. Thereafter, the family lineage is mapped out from the earliest known history onwards. Finally, where known, information is included on 'creation', tartans, seat, residence and clubs of the title holder.

Abbreviations have been used throughout the publication to save space. A full index of abbreviations is available within the preliminary pages of this Volume.

Where available, Burke's Landed Gentry has included within square brackets, addresses for living people to enable readers to write to entrants featured within the book. The post nominal initials are confined to decorations or appointments emanating from the Crown. Academic and professional qualifications of institutional rather than national provenance, are evident in the subject's career details.

Family surnames appear at the head of each article, and this arrangement is used for all the Biographical entries. For peers and other title holders, the principal title appears below the family surname name, as well as against the entry for each incumbent. It is usual for all male members of the family to be in remainder to all titles, unless otherwise stated. In cases where a different version of the surname has been adopted or recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, (often the original surname plus another surname hyphenated on to it ) it is printed in capital letters in the case of the founder of the specific branch of the family, and its adoption by all his descendants is then to be presumed. Where a title or major descent of a family is through a female line, presumed change of surname on the marriage of an heiress is marked by giving her forenames in capitals and her maiden name in lower but her husband (or that husband through whom she transmits the relevant descent if she marries more than once) is treated the other way round. In cases where a baronet alters his name the alternative(s) are shown in regular capital letters, though the recital of the actual title (e.g., 3rd Bt) remains in bold.

Over time, some surnames have undergone major alteration. These have, in general but not always, been officially recorded by the granting of Royal Licences or more recently by deed poll. Spelling of names may too have evolved over the years as standardised spelling came about relatively recently. This is often the case for the 'Mac-/Mc' prefix for Scottish or Irish families; for example, MacLeod, could become McLeod. It is also common for ancient documents to contain multiple spellings of the same word within a single line or paragraph.

Today, it is not unusual for an individual to choose a preferred name. Married women for example, may opt to retain their maiden name or an individual may decide not to use a title for personal, professional or political reasons.