Between 1679 and 1682, James, Duke of York, later James II served as Lord High Commissioner of Scotland. His time in Edinburgh was well received and he undertook various projects to improve the prestige of the monarchy in Scotland. These projects included the renovation of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the establishment of the library of the Faculty of Advocates (now part of the National Library of Scotland), and the encouragement of secular learning at the University of Edinburgh.

During his time in Scotland, James was remarkably successful and royalists published pamphlets emphasising the significance and importance of the House of Stuart. In 1784 and 1785, the Lord Advocate, Sir George Mackenzie (1636/8-1691) published two tracts enthusiastically supporting the Stuart monarchy and royal prerogative in Scotland. However, Mackenzie's reputation as a royalist and high Episcopalian and had taken part in the persecution of covenanters in the 1670s so his treatises must be viewed with caution.