A Lord of Parliament represents the fifth and final grade of the Scottish peerage, holding a hereditary right—prior to modern legislative reforms—to sit and vote in the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland. Unlike the English system where the title 'Baron' is explicitly used for the lowest rank of peerage, the Scottish tradition distinguishes between 'Feudal Barons' (who held land in free barony but were not necessarily peers) and 'Lords of Parliament,' who were personal peers of the realm. Their female counterparts or the wives of such lords are styled as 'Lady,' and their eldest sons often hold the courtesy style of 'Master.'
In heraldic terms, a Lord of Parliament is entitled to a coronet of rank consisting of a silver gilt circlet heightened by six silver balls, of which three are visible in representation. Their achievement of arms typically includes a peer’s helmet, supporters, and a robe of estate. Historically, the title was created by the Sovereign through letters patent or, in earlier eras, by the solemn ceremony of 'belting.' Following the Acts of Union 1707, these lords elected Representative Peers to sit in the House of Lords at Westminster.