Anyone inherited an intestate estate in Scotland?

googler

Mother passed away recently, she was married to my father since 1949, no other marriages, father passed away 15 years ago, and I'm their only child (mother was an only child, too), and therefore I'm sole beneficiary.

She passed without leaving a will, and as sole beneficiary I wish to gain executor dative status in order that I can handle her estate. Everything is pretty much in order, as I've been helping with finances etc for a number of years and recently gained power of attorney to assist with this.

Has anyone in Scotland been in a similar situation, and applied to the court for executor dative, and specifically has any experience of applying for a 'Bond of Caution' relating to the application?

As far as I can gather, there are only two providers of these bonds, one of whom insists as part of their terms and conditions that all executry is carried out by a solicitor firm, thus removing me from the process, and possibly dragging things out.