John Montagu Douglas Scott, 7th Duke Of Buccleuch

John Charles Montagu Douglas Scott, 7th Duke of Buccleuch and 9th Duke of Queensberry, was born on 30 March 1864 and died on 19 October 1935. His early titles included being styled The Honourable John Montagu Douglas Scott until 1884 and Lord John Montagu Douglas Scott between 1884 and 1886. He held the title of Earl of Dalkeith until 1914. He was a member of the British peerage and served as a Member of Parliament.

Early Life

He was born in 1864 as the second of eight children to William Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch, and Lady Louisa Hamilton. His older brother, Walter Henry, Earl of Dalkeith, died in a deer-hunting accident at Achnacary Forest at the age of 25; Walter was unmarried, and consequently, the title of Earl of Dalkeith was inherited by John. He was a direct male-line descendant of King Charles II.

In 1881, Buccleuch served as a Midshipman in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Bacchante, which transported grandsons of Queen Victoria, including Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and Prince George of Wales, later King George V. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September 1883.

Career

His official roles included:

- Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire from 1895 to 1906, representing the Conservative Party.

- Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh in 1886.

- Deputy Lieutenant of Dumfriesshire in 1887.

- Justice of the Peace for Selkirk and Roxburghshire.

- Vice Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk in 1893.

- Deputy Lieutenant of Roxburghshire in 1896.

- Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfriesshire from 1915 until 1935.

- Lord Clerk Register for Scotland from 1926 to 1935.

Marriage and Family

On 30 January 1893, Buccleuch married Lady Margaret Alice "Molly" Bridgeman at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. She was born on 20 January 1872 and died on 7 August 1954. She was the daughter of George Bridgeman, 4th Earl of Bradford, and Lady Ida Frances Annabella Lumley.

Together, they had eight children:

1. Lady Margaret Ida Montagu Douglas Scott (1893–1976), married Admiral Sir Geoffrey Alan Brooke Hawkins; three children.

2. Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, 8th Duke of Buccleuch (1894–1973), married Vreda Esther Mary Lascelles; three children.

3. Lord William Walter Montagu Douglas Scott (1896–1958), married Lady Rachel Douglas-Home; five children.

4. Lady Sybil Anne Montagu Douglas Scott (1899–1990), married Charles Phipps; four children.

5. Lady Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott (1901–2004), married Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester; two sons.

6. Lady Mary Theresa Montagu Douglas Scott (1904–1984), married David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter; four children.

7. Lady Angela Christine Rose Montagu Douglas Scott (1906–2000), married Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Dawnay; two children.

8. Lord George Francis John Montagu Douglas Scott (1911–1999), married Mary Bishop; three children.

Death and Succession

He died from cancer at Bowhill House, Selkirkshire, Scotland, on 19 October 1935, aged 71. His death occurred less than a month before his daughter Alice married Prince Henry, third son of King George V. The marriage was scheduled at Westminster Abbey but was scaled back to Buckingham Palace due to the king’s health and other circumstances.

He was buried on 22 October 1935 in the family crypt within the Buccleuch Memorial Chapel at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Dalkeith, Midlothian. Following his death, he was succeeded by his son, Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, as the 8th Duke of Buccleuch.

Titles, Honours, and Awards

- Earl of Dalkeith (1886–1914)

- 7th Duke of Buccleuch and 9th Duke of Queensberry (from 1914)

- Lord Clerk Register (1926)

- Captain General of the Royal Company of Archers (1929)

- Knight of the Order of the Thistle (KT, 1917)

- Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO, 1934)

- Honorary Colonel of the 78th (Lowland) Field Brigade, Royal Artillery (1929)

Ancestry and external references are documented in various genealogical and parliamentary records.