From the 14th century, Scottish Kings appointed Lieutenants to cover specific territorial areas for short periods. Their purpose was to meet particular emergencies such as invasion or rebellion. 1794 saw a Royal Warrant order the development of volunteer forces for the defence of the country and permanent lieutenancies were established in the 33 counties.
The principal function of the Lieutenants was to encourage the formation of volunteer forces to protect the country in the French Revolutionary War. Forces raised in each county were led by a Lord-Lieutenant who was appointed by the Sovereign and who in turn appointed Deputy Lieutenants. After 1802 the Lord-Lieutenant was an ex officio member of the Police Committee and the Local Authority but the Local Government Act of 1889 abolished these functions and the role of lieutenancies gradually became more ceremonial.
The traditional links with the military have however been preserved through the association with the Armed Forces, the Territorial Army and other Reserve and Cadet Forces. Strong links have also been developed with the emergency services and a wide variety of voluntary organisations. However the principal role of the Lord-Lieutenant is as the personal representative of Her Majesty The Queen in the Lieutenancy area.
In 1975, as part of local government reoganisation, the Counties were disbanded and replaced by District Councils. The area covered by the Lord-Lieutenancy then changed from Stirlingshire to Stirling and Falkirk. Previous Lord-Lieutenants of Stirlingshire (1794-1975) and of Stirling and Falkirk (1975 to present):
- 1794-1837 3rd Duke of Montrose
- 1837-1843 2nd Baron Abercromby
- 1843-1875 4th Duke of Montrose
- 1875-1885 7th Earl of Dunmore
- 1885-1926 5th Duke of Montrose
- 1926-1929 1st Viscount Younger
- 1929-1936 William Pullar
- 1936-1949 Sir George Stirling Bt
- 1949-1964 Sir Ian Bolton Bt
- 1964-1979 3rd Viscount Younger
- 1979-1983 General Frederick Graham
- 1983-2005 Sir James Stirling
- 2005-2017 Marjory McLachlan
- 2017- Alan Simpson