The Earl of Erroll in the procession to the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

This week sees the opening of the Church of Scotland's annual General Assembly, when some 730 delegates from the church across the country foregather at General Assembly Hall for their annual convention.

The Assembly opens with a grand day of ceremonial in which the Earl of Erroll, Chief of Clan Hay, plays a prominent part, in his capacity as hereditary Lord High Constable of Scotland.

Unlike its English counterpart, the Church of Scotland is independent of the Crown and the Government, although the Queen appoints a Lord High Commissioner for the occasion, whose role is to observe and report on proceedings to Her Majesty.  This year, the post of Lord High Commissioner is filled by the Queen's youngest son, HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.

The picture on the right shows the Chief (in kilt and eagle feathers) in a prominent position in the procession, immediately behind the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who is easily identified by his chain of office.