The Guardians of Scotland were the de facto heads of state of Scotland during the First Interregnum of 1286-1292, and the Second Interregnum of 1296-1306.

Guardians of Scotland during the First Interregnum 1286-1292

• William Fraser, Bishop of St Andrews
• Donnchadh III of Fife; Donnchadh IV of Fife
• Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan
• Robert Wishart, Bishop of Glasgow
• James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland
• John II Comyn, Lord of Badenoch

Guardians of Scotland during the Second Interregnum 1296-1306

• Sir William Wallace (1297-1298)
• Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrick (1298-1300)
• John Comyn (1298-1301)
• William Lamberton, Bishop of St Andrews (1299-1301)
• Sir Ingram de Umfraville (1300-1301)
• John de Soules (1301-1304)
• John Comyn (1302-1304)

William Lamberton

William was also the Guardian Of Scotland for a period during the inter-regnum troubles between the joint competitors for the throne of Scotland, Bruce, Comyn and Baliol. William supported Robert I (Robert the Bruce) with money and advise, even though Bruce was at one point excommunicated for killing the Red Comyn in Dumfries church.

He is recorded in one source as coming from the ancient Barony of Kilmaurs, Ayrshire and his surname would in this case be Cunninghame, for the Lands of Lambroughton have an ancient origin inextricably linked to the Cunninghame family (McNaught 1912).

William may also have come from the settlement of Lamberton, near Berwick in the Scottish Borders (Logan Mack 1926). The name Lamberton here was derived from the Saxon name Lambert, whilst Lambroughton, sometimes spelt Lamberton, is derived from a corruption of the clan McLamroch.

References

Mack, James Logan (1926). The Border Line. Pub. Oliver & Boyd. pps.317-322.

McNaught, Duncan (1912). Kilmaurs Parish and Burgh. Pub. A.Gardner. p.9.

See also

• Competitors for the crown of Scotland
• History of Scotland

Guardians of Scotland | Wars of Scottish Independence | History of Scotland | Heads of state