A FULL LISTING (speculatively!) To check against primary list

NB. This list of members of the Speculative Society falls into three categories as follows

1/. Extraordinary members with, a sodality number, full name, qualifications, and occupation all taken from the 1968 History of the Speculative Society. This basic data has been updated with more recent information, which has been gleaned, mostly from the web.

2/. Ordinary members with a sodality number which has been allotted to the Speculators (as they appear in the 1971-72 Roll) in ascending order, starting with the last number in the 1968 History. These numbers have an asterisk to show their assumed status. The members in this category are taken from the Spec’s 1971-72 Roll of Officers of the Society and Ordinary members, which shows only initials for first names, Surname, and qualifications. It has been necessary to fill in the other details by informed conjecture.

3/. Ordinary, and extraordinary members, without a sodality number, and with first names initialled only. To which are added details attributed by informed conjecture. These names were provided by members of the Spec, and are assumed as being genuine but require official verification from the Speculative Society. The Secretary of the Speculative Society is unwilling to provide verifying information



THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH
LIST OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO
EXTRAORDINARY PRIVILEGES 1947- 2002

A	B	C	D	E	F
G	H	I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P	Q	R
S	T	U	V	W	X
Y	Z	Jump to names

A

Abbey, David Yool 1617 (BA. Oxford, LL.B.; Advocate; Sheriff-Substitute at Airdrie)
Adams, S. L.
Anderson, J. P. (B.A.)
Angus, R. J. (Q.C. Commissioner, Social Security & Child Support Agency)
Appleton, Edward Victor 1622 [Principal University of Edin. (Honorary Member)]
Arbuthnott, Hugh Sinclair 1644 (The Hon. Hugh of Cairnhill, Foreside, by Forfar. Resigned)
Armstrong, Iain G. (Q.C. Advocate Depute, 2000-present; Clerk of Faculty 1995-1999)

B

Balfour, G. A. J. - See Taprain, Viscount
Barne, Jonathan Michael (Solicitor, Shepherd & Wedderburn, Saltire Court, Edinburgh)
Barnes, E.W.
Barr, Kenneth Glen 1757 (Resigned, Sheriff of South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway)
Bell, John Robin Sinclair 1683 (MBE in 1999 for services to Scottish charities)
Bell, Stewart Edward 1599 (Resigned on departing to Malaya; Sheriff-Substitute at Glasgow)
Berry, William 1758 (K.T, Ch.M.B.M. W.S; Dir. Scot. Life, Scot. Amer. Inv., Inchcape)
Bertram, Robert David Darney 1765 (Ptnr, Shep. & Wedd., Monopoly & Mergers Committee)
Bisset, Norman Shirsinger (Solicitor, C.M.S. Cameron McKenna, Aberdeen)
Black, Duncan Ian 1672 (Architect to the Scottish Development Dept.)
Black, R.obert (Q.C., Professor of Law and Head of the Faculty, the University of Edinburgh)
Blackie, J. W. (B.A. LL.B., Prof of Law, University of Strathclyde)
Blackledge, P. V. P. (B.Mus.)
Blair, John Woodman 1733 (Snr. Ptnr. Anderson Strathearn; Dir. Edinburgh Fund Managers Group)
Blair, Robin Orr 1785 (M.A .St Andrews, LL.B. Edinburgh, W.S; Lord Lyon King of Arms)
Bogie, David W. (Sheriff d.)
Boisseau, C. D.
Borden, Frank Harris 1634 (M.A. University of Pennsylvania; A.B. Trinity College, Connecticut)
Bowie, Simon D. R. (Advocate, Edinburgh)
Boyd, Kenneth MacKenzie 1753 (M.A. Edin., Theologian, and Author)
Brand, David William Robert 1610 (Resigned, M.A. LL.B. Q.C.; Solicitor General 1970)
Brodie, Jonathan P. (Advocate, Standing Jr. Counsel to Dept. of Soc Sec. & The Bible Board)
Brown, Ewan (C.B.E., M.A., LL.B., C.A., FCIBS, Prof., Ch. H-Watt Univ., Dir. Noble Grossart, Lloyds TSB)
Bruce, Hon Adam R. (Solicitor/Lobbyist, Dir. McGrigor Donald Public Policy; Tory candidate)
Bruce, Michael Stewart Rae 1732 (Lord Marnoch, Law Lord)
Bruce-Gardyne, Charles Evan 1623 (LL.B., Royal Company of Archers; 14th Laird of Middleton)
Bruford, Alan James 1769 (Author of Gaelic Folk Tales, Archivist, School of Scottish Studies Edin. Univ.)
Buchanan, Nigel Walter 1715 (B.A. Oxford; LL.B. W.S.)
Buist, Robert Cochran 1666 (Investment Trust Manager)
Bullick, Peter Maurice 1759 (Resigned, LL.B. Edin., W.S. Solicitor)
de Burgh, H. W. (Prof. Media & Communications, Goldsmiths College, Uni. of London)
Burns, David S. (QC, Advocate Depute 1991-93, Deputy Com. of Soc. Sec., 1998-now, Lockerbie defence lawyer for Megrahi)
Burns, Richard R.J. (B.A. Oxon., LL.B., Dir. Scottish Life, Baillie Gifford & Co., Mid Wynd Inter. Inv. plc., etc)
Butler, L. (B.A. M.A. P.h.D.)
Butter, Peter Herbert 1615 (BA. Oxon; Prof., Lecturer at Edinburgh & Belfast Universities; Author)
Butters, John Anthony Howard 1735 (B.A. Camb; LL.B. Edin., Scot. Valtn. Advisory Council)
Byatt, Andrew Lorne Campbell (Solicitor with Morton Fraser, Edinburgh)



C

Callendar, Alexander Dougal 1614 (B.A. Oxford, LL.B. Edin, W.S.; Captain Q.O.C.H.)
Cameron, Ewan Kennedy 1674 (M.A., LL.B. Edin., W.S.)
Cameron, John Alastair 1776 (Lord Abernethy, Law Lord)
Cameron, J T
Cameron, 1681 Kenneth John (of Lochbroom, Law Lord)
Cameron, N. M.
Campbell, Colin John 1764 (A.R.I.C.S., Q.A.L.A.S., Chartered Surveyor)
Campbell, Hugh H. (QC, F.C.I. Arbitrators, B.A. Oxon., LL.B. Edin.,)
Campbell, Niall Gordon 1756 (Civil Servant, Head of Justice Dept., Ex-Development Dept., Scot. Off.)
Campbell, R. M. M.
Campbell, William David 1741 (Architect, A.R.I.B.A.;)
Campling, James Robert 1713 (Works Director)
Cavaye, David B. M. (Investment Mgr. Securities Trust Scotland/Martin Currie, Saltire Court)
Chapman Cambell, R. H.
Clarke, John Gwynne 1663 (Resigned, Lecturer in French)
Clarke, Matthew Gerald (Law Lord, Lord Clarke, as QC said Skye toll paperwork was flawless)
Clyde, James John 1688 (Law Lord, Ex-Lord Advocate, son of 1403 & grandson of 1131)
Cohen, Laurence Jonathan 1603 (Lecturer & Fellow, Oxon, Edin., Dundee, St. Ands., Princeton & Harvard)
Considine, Hugh McKay 1601 (Resigned, Edinburgh Academy 1932-37; B.A. Camb. LL.B.)
Cosser, A. J. (LL.B.)
Cowan, Charles David Symington 1602 (Paper Trade; Manufacturing; Stockbroking)
Cowan, John Michael (LL.B., Solicitor, Condies, Perth)
Cowie, William Lorn Kerr 1631 (Law Lord, Lord Cowie)
Craddock, I D
Craig, Maxwell Davidson 1729 (Non-resident, Minister Ch of Scot; Asst. Prin. Min. of Labour)
Craig, T. M. (B.Sc., A.R.C.S.I., G.M.I., Mech.E.)
Crawford, George Douglas 1790 (Journalist, Editor of 'Scotland', Economist, Scot. Coun. Dev. & Ind.)
Crerar, James Drummond 1717 (Solicitor, Dickson McNiven & Dunn, W.S.)
Croker, Patrick Thomas Crofton 1719 (B.A.Oxford, Schoolmaster, Fettes College, 1959-65)
Crole, Robert Lake 1695 (Schoolmaster at Fettes and Geelong G.S.)
Crowther, A. V.
Cullen, W D
Currie, James David Peterkin 1738 (Ship-owner, J.P., Chairman of Jas. Currie & Co, son of 1468)
Curtis, R. S.



D

Davidson, Charles Kemp 1636 (Law Lord, Lord Davidson)
Davidson, D. (Advocate Donald Davidson?)
Davidson Kelly, C. N.
Dawson, W. A. C.
Derby, Peter Jared 1784 (B.Sc. Queens Univ., Belfast; Master of Worshipful Co. of Actuaries)
Dessain, S. J. F.
Dickson, A. W. M.
Dickson, Robert Hamish 1792 (Sheriff at Airdrie, son of 1483 Sheriff at Hamilton)
Dorman, N. R. V.
Douglas, Hugh Scott 1656 (B.A. Oxon. LL.B. W.S.)
Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James Alexander 1772 MSP (QC; Ex-Minister of State, Scot. Office, {Skye Tolls})
Douglas-Home, Rt. Hon. Sir Alec 1755 (Ex-P.M. of the U.K., Ex-Chair Bilderberg Group)
Draper, O. A. T.
Drummond Young, James Edward ( Law Lord, Lord Drummond Young)
Duff, Donald Campbell MacRae 1679 (Resigned 1958)
Duff, Ronald Roxburgh 1728 (B.A. Oxford, LL.B; W.S.)
Duncan, D. M. G. (LL.B.)
Duthie, C. E. (M.A., Spec. Soc. Librarian 2002/3, public apologist)
Dymock, Ian William 1772 (Physician, author of 'Clinical Pharmacology')



E

Elliot, J. C.
Elliot, Gerald Henry 1640 (Sir Gerald, Royal Co. Archers; Chmn. Christian Salvesen, Forth Ports, etc.)
Elliot, P. R.
Elliott, Walter Archibald 1613 (Q.C. Barrister; Staff Captain Scots Guards)
Elston, David Aitken (Solicitor, Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh)
Errington, Humphrey John 1780 (Shipping, then, Cheesemaker, Lanark Blue)
Erskine, Donald Seymour 1652 (Fellow of the Chartered Land Agents Society, estate agent.)



F

Fairbairn, Sir Nicholas Hardwick 1677 (Solicitor General, 1979-1982)
Ferguson, James G.D. (Ex-Chair. St. Ivory, Ch. Val. & Inc. Trust, Dir. Monks Inv. Trust, Comm. Fund Managers Assoc.)
Fitch, R. E. I. (M.A.)
Ford, P. J. (Dr. Lecturer and Professor at Edin. University)
Forfar, David O. (Sen. Lect. Dep. of Actuarial Maths & Stats. Heriot-Watt Uni., author)
Forman, P M
Foster, A. J. E.
Foulis, Alexander Douglas 1635 (Bookbinder)
Frain-Bell, William J. (Advocate, Tory cand., Mem.Young Int. Arb. Pract. Gp., Ed.Firm Magazine)
Francis, Derick R. Le B (Advocate, member of the English Bar; Registered Insurance Broker)
Fraser, I. A. (M.A., Dir. School of Celtic & Scottish Studies, Univ. of Edin.)
Fraser, Sir John 1590, Bart. (Honorary Member, Principal of the University of Edinburgh)
Fraser, Peter Lovat (Q.C., Sol. Gen. 1982, Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, Lord Advocate 1989)
Fyfe, Norman Alexander (Solicitor Miller Beckett & Jackson, Glasgow)



G

Galbraith, Norman Dunlop Galloway 1611 (Ship-owner, Sub-Lieutenant, Home Fleet)
Galbraith, William Campbell 1696 (Q.C.; Chair, Tribunal DHSS, 1997; Chair, Tribunal MAFF, 1994)
Gieben, Abraham Herman Cornelius Sinclair 1685 (non-resident Member, M.D. Amsterdam)
Gillies, William (M.A. Edin., B.A. Oxon., Prof. Hd. of Dept. Celtic Studies, Gov. H. & I. Ent.Trust, author)
Godfrey, A. M.
Gotelee, Jonathan (Architect)
Graham, J. A.G. (M.A., M.Phil.)
Grant, D M K
Grant, Douglas 1591 (F.R.S.E.; T.D. Publisher, Brother of 1538; Cousin of 1587)
Grant, Ian Robertson 1587 (B.A. Camb. Antiquarian Bookseller and Editor of the 1968 History)
Grant, Robert William 1740 (C.A. son of 1496 Lord Grant MP, Lord Advocate)
Grant Scott, W. (A Dr W. Grant Scott made submission to City of Edin. Council Dev. Sub- Comm. 23/8/00. Same man?)
Grieve, Christopher Murray 1762 (Hugh MacDairmid - Poet, Honorary Member)
Griffiths, John Robert (Solicitor, W.S., Partner Shep. & Wedd., Chair. Emp. Law Soc. of Scot.) Grossart, Angus McFarlane McLeod 1744 (Ch. Brit. Assts. Trust/ISIS, Noble Grossart, Royal Bank of Scot., Scot. Inv. Trust etc.)
Grossart, Hamish M. (Hamish, Dir. Martin Currie, I&G, Royal Doulton, Cairn Energy, Indigo Vision, Scottish Radio Holdings)
Guest, Simon Edward Graham (Solicitor with Bell & Scott, Edinburgh)
Guild, Ivor Reginald 1588 (Ex-Snr. Prtnr. Shepherd & Wedderburn; Chair Dunedin WWI Trust; etc)


H

Halblander, C. J. M.
Haldane, James Martin 1754 (KT., Chair. Audit Comm. Univ. Stirling, Dir. Scot. Life, Inv.Cap. Trust/ISIS, C.A. Cheine & Tait)
Hamilton, Arthur Campbell 1793 (Law Lord, Lord Hamilton)
Hammond Chambers, R. A. (Alex, Chair Ivory & Sime, (now ISIS), Dir. Dobbies Gdn. Cntrs., etc.)
Hamnett, Thomas Galloway Ian 1668 (Advocate and lecturer at Edinburgh & Bristol Univs.)
Hardman, J. D.
Harris , P. A.
Harrison, Patrick Kennard 1694 (Principal, Scottish Development Dept.)
Hart, Thomas David Mure 1775 (C.A. in Brewing)
Hayes, James Almand 1768 (Extruded, Graduate of Georgia Military Acad; Theatre Director)
Heath, Peter Laughlan 1659 (B.A. Oxford; Prof. of Philosophy, Univ. of Edin. & Virginia, Author)
Heggie, C. A. (LL.B. Solicitor, Bell & Scott, Edinburgh)
Henderson, William Gebbie 1690 (M.A. Edin., Publisher)
Hennigan, Brian (Writer, Vice-Chair of Mediabase)
Henry, A. C. (Sheriff at Glasgow?)
Hepburn-Scott, Henry Alexander 1585 (Lord Polwarth, Resigned 1947; Governor BOS; Dir. various)
Hodge, Robin M. (Publisher of the List, events guide for Edinburgh & Glasgow)
Hogg, M. A. (Faculty of Law Univ. Edin, co-author Prof. Hector McQueen)
Hollis, Edward C.R. (Architect, Lecturer, Media Arts, Napier Univ., Spec. Soc. Secretary 2002/3)
Holmes, H. M. (of H. H. Holmes, Accountants, specialists in Tax planning, Edinburgh?)
Holroyd, Nicholas W. (Advocate, Ex-tutor Univ. Edin., 'Delict & Civil Court Pt')
Hook, William Thomson 1608 (M.A. LL.B. Edinburgh, Sheriff at Greenock)
Hope, George Archibald 1742 (C.A. apprentice)
Hope, James Arthur David 1750 (Lord Hope of Craighead, Law Lord, son of 1399)
Hope, Hon. J. D. L. (Solicitor, son of Lord Hope of Craighead 1750, grandson of 1399)
Horden, M. J. W.
Huggins, Martin 1777 (Dir. Edinburgh School of English; Business Consultant)
Hunter Gordon, H (B.Sc.; Governor Moray House Institute of Education)



I

Inglis, James Crawford Roger 1625 (Ptnr. Shep. & Wedd., Dir Royal B.of Scot, Chair. Brit. Ass. Trust; associate of George Bush Snr)
Ingram, Paul Alexander 1616 (Chartered Surveyor; Captain Royal Artillery)
Ingram, Thomas Theodore Scott 1693 (Senior lecturer in Paediatric Neurology and Author)
Ireland, Ronald David 1632 (Q.C., Sheriff Principal, Hon. Prof. of Law Univ. of Aberdeen; Author)
Irvine, R G
Ivory, Brian G. (CBE, Non-Exec. Dir. Halifax/Bank of Scotland, Dir. Scot/Amer. Inv., ex-CEO Highland Distillers)
Ivory, J (B. Comm., C.A., Trustee, Advocates for Animals)



J

Jauncey, Charles Eliot 1621 (Law Lord, Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle.)
Jenkins, D.H.R. (M.B. Ch.B.)
Johnson, R. E. C. (B.Sc.)
Johnson, Robert Smith 1592 (B.A. Cambridge, LL.B. Glasgow; Advocate Depute)
Johnston, A B M
Johnston, Alan Charles Macpherson 1760 (Law Lord, Lord Johnston)
Johnston, Alastair Graham 1654 (Resigned, M.A.)
Johnstone, John Raymond 1633 (C.A. in Investment Trusts)



K

Keith, The Hon Henry Shanks 1605 (Law Lord, Lord Keith of Kinkel, d. 2002)
Kelsall, John Ainsworth 1726 (B.A. Oxford, LL.B. Edin, Solicitor)
Kenyon-Slaney, Robert Ivan 1653 (Tobacconist & Snuff dealer, ceased to be a member, d.1984)
Kermack, S O
Kerr, Andrew Mark 1771 (B.A. Camb., LL.B. Edin., W.S. Solicitor., Ctte. Memb., Clerk, W.S. Library)
Kerr, Bruce A. (Sheriff at Glasgow, member of Judicial Appointments Board)
Killick, David Henry Rothwell 1749 (Non-Resident, Barrister, Merchant)
Kincade, James 1687 (B.A. Trinity, M.A., B.Litt. Oxford, Teacher)
King Murray - See Murray R J K



L

Laird, David Logan 1772 (Solicitor with Thorntons W.S. Forfar; Board of Inver Dist. Salmon Fisheries)
Laird, Michael Donald 1636a (Resigned, Michael Laird Partnership, Architects, Edinburgh)
Laird Craig, Adrian J (MD, TM Robertson Wine Cellars Edinburgh, Pres. Inst. Wine & Spirits Scot., Old Stoic)
Lall, Vikram (C.A., Dir. Malcolm Group, Ex-Grampian Holdings, Noble Grossart, Dir. Brewin Dolphin, Member Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board)
Law, James 1628 (Q.C., Member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board 1994)
Law, Ralph Hamilton 1680 (Under-Secretary, Dept. of Fisheries, Scotland)
Lawson, K.
Learmonth, Alastair M. (Advocate, Tutor in Evidence, University of Edinburgh)
Learmonth, Ian Robertson 1783 (Stockbroker)
Leckie, P. Ross (Dir. Martin Currie, author of 'Bluff your way in the Classics', journalist 'Scotland on Sunday', Tory candidate, Spec apologist)
Leeming, D. B. B.
Leslie, R. K.
Leslie, William 1658 (B.A. Camb. LL.B. T.D. W.S.)
Liddell, Hamish George MacDuff 1604 (B.A. Oxon., LL.B. Edin; Ptnr. J&H Mitchell, Perth; cousin of 1594)
Liddell, Andrew Colin MacDuff (Solicitor, J & H Mitchell, Pitlochry)
Lindgren, David I. (Solicitor & Partner, Fyfe Ireland W.S.)
Lockhart, H.
Lorimer, D.
Lorimer, Robert Lewis Campbell 1638 (Author & Publisher, d.1996)
Lothian, Andrew (M A; Sheriff, Lothians & Borders, Edinburgh)
Lowe, Ian Douglas 1761 (M.A. Camb., Dip Agric. Camb., M.B.A. Harvard; Company Director)



M

McAllister, Richard A. (Lecturer in Politics at the University of Edinburgh)
MacAskill, Jamie (Deputy News Editor, Sunday Mail, Scotland)
McCall Smith, R. Alexander {Sandy} (Prof. of Medical Law University of Edinburgh)
MacColl, Gavin L. (Advocate, Edinburgh)
McCosh, W. G.
McCulloch, Andrew Jameson 1766 (of Ardwall, Solicitor, and author of 'Galloway, a land apart')
Macdonald, Alistair Archibald 1660 (Sheriff substitute at Caithness, Orkney, & Zetland)
McDougall, Douglas C.P. (Ex-Prtnr. Baillie/Gifford, Chair. IMRO, Dir. Scot. Inv. Trust, Monks Inv. Trust, etc.)
McEachran, Colin Neil 1789 (QC, Advocate Depute 1974-77; Pres. Pensions Appeal Trib. 1994-present)
McFadden, John Alexander Crawford 1751 (M.A. LL.B. Aberdeen, Solicitor)
MacFarlane, C. W. (Q.C. LL.B., Sheriff of Glasgow & Strathkelvin, at Glasgow)
Macfie, John W.S. (Solicitor, Hon. Sec. Scot. Tartan Soc., Edinburgh)
McGhie, James Marshall (Law Lord, Lord McGhie, Chair. Scottish Land Court, President Lands Tribunal for Scotland)
McInnes, John Colin 1731 (B.A.Ox, LL.B. Edin; Q.C., Sheriff, Mem.Invest. Powers Tribunal)
McIntyre, Robert Gordon 1691 (Executive with Morgan Crucible Co., (US-convicts), son of Lord Sorn)
McIver, Calum Alexander (Solicitor, D. L. A. Scotland, Edinburgh)
Mackay, 1676 James Peter Hymers (Lord Mackay of Clashfearn, Ex- UK Lord Chancellor.) Mackay, Peter 1791 (Sen. Civil Servt. Retd., Dir. Scottish Council Foundation, Dir. several companies)
Mackenzie, J.G. (M.A., LL.B. Cantab., Advocate)
MacKenzie, L. D. M. (M.A. Edinburgh, Director DG XXIII, European Commission (Info Tech)
Mackie, C.A.
Mackie, E. J. (LL.B.)
Mackie, Thorold (Investment Analyst, ING Barings Charterhouse Securities)
Mackness, Robin Frederick Stewart 1743 (B.A. Camb., Importer & Manufacturer)
MacLaren, I F
Maclean of Dochgarroch, Alan
MacLean, Colin P. B. (Dir. British Assets Management Trust, ISIS, MD Scot. Val. Man. Trust, Scottish Provident etc.)
MacLean, Ranald Norman Munro 1736 (Law Lord, Senior Legal rep. of Judicial Appts. Board.)
McLean, Robert Younger 1657 (B.A. Camb., A.M.I.E.E. Electrical Engineer)
MacLehose, D.
McLeod, Hugh Roderick 1675 (B.A. Cambridge; Ship-owner)
McLeod, J. M. N.
McLeod, Norman Donald 1678 (Sheriff-Substitute at Glasgow)
McLure, P.L.H (B.A. Oxon. LL.B. W.S.)
MacNaught, R. H. A. (B.A. Oxon., LL.B. Edin., Solicitor)
MacNeill, Calum H S (Q.C., Advocate Depute1998-2001, Edin. Acted v. Skye Toll protesters)
McNeill, James W. (Q.C. Advocates Library, Parliament House)
Macphail, Iain Duncan 1745 (Sheriff Principal, Lothian & Borders)
MacPhee, N. W. M. R.
Macpherson, Robin Ian (Solicitor & Partner, Brodies W.S., Edinburgh)
McVicar, Euan Forbes (Solicitor, Associate, McGrigor Donald, advised Bank of Scot. on PFI)
McVicar, Neil 1589 (M.A., Oxon., LL.B. Edin., Q.C., Chancellor to the Bishop of Edinburgh)
Mair, Hamish J. G. (Dir. Martin Currie Inv. Man. Ltd., Mgr. Martin Currie Return Trust)
Marquis Edward Graham 1607 (M.A. LL.B. Cambridge, practiced as English Solicitor)
Martin, R M
Maxtone Graham, Robert Mungo 1669 (Advocate, author of the Society's literature)
Maxwell, Peter 1618 (Resigned, BA. Oxford, LL.B. Q.C.; grandson of 1027)
Menzies, Duncan Adam Young (Law Lord, Lord Menzies, as QC acted v. Skye toll protesters)
Mercer, Walter M.D. (Advocate, Visit. Lect., Univ. Aber., Mem. Privacy Law Comm., Law Soc.)
Mercer-Wood, S. Z. K.
Michael, P. A.
Millar, Angus George 1641 (Investment Trust Manager)
Milligan, J G
Mitchell, James Lachlan Martin 1643 (Sheriff)
Mitchell, Geoffery D. M. (Advocate, Edinburgh)
Moncreiffe of That Ilk, Sir David Gerald 1606 (Bart. & 23rd Laird of Moncreiffe; cousin of 1594)
Moncreiffe, Rupert Iain Kay 1594 (Sir Iain Moncreiffe, MA, LLB. PhD; Brit. Emb. Moscow 1946)
Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Walter William (of Buccleuch & Queensberry)
Moran, Joseph Michael 1612 (Resigned; Draftsman Lord Advocate's Department)
Morison, Alastair Malcolm 1665 (Law Lord, Lord Morison; son of 1417 Sir Ronald Morison)
Morrison, Stephen Andrew Simpson (American Solicitor, regd. w/Law Society of Scotland)
Mowat, Ian Alastair McIvor (Solicitor, Haig-Scott, Edinburgh)
Muir, Andrew Gray 1692 (B.A. Oxford, LL.B. Edin., Solicitor; Son of 1442)
Murray, John 1718 (Q.C., F.C.I. Arb; & Professor, Formerly Lord Dervaird, resigned prior to 'Magic Circle')
Murray, J. A. S.
Murray, Ronald James King 1670 (Q.C. MP; Law Lord, Lord Murray; Lord Advocate 1974)
Murray Threapland, A. (M.Sc.)



N

Nelson, Douglas 1661 (Resigned, M.A., LL.B.)
Nicolson, Harold Alexander 1645 (LL.B. W.S.)
Nimmo Smith, William Austin (Law Lord, Lord Nimmo Smith, Co-author 'magic circle' report)
Noble, Ian Andrew 1782 (Ex-Chair Skye Bridge Co; Ex-Chair Noble Group; Noble Grossart, etc )
Noble, Iain William 1650 (M.A. LL.B. WS)



O

Oberlander, Jon R. (Dr., Reader in Cog. Science, Div. of Informatics, University of Edin.)
Oddy, Revel 1722 (Assistant Keeper, Royal Scottish Museum)
Ogilvy, F. G. A. (B.Sc.)
O'Neill, Francis 1737 (Life Insurance Manager, Electrical Engineer)
Osborne, Kenneth Hilton 1721 (Law Lord, Lord Osborne)



P

Packe, T. G. Packe (T.G.Packe, Chartered Surveyors, Linlithgow)
Paterson, John Veitch 1648 (Resigned, Sheriff at Selkirk)
Pearson, Francis Salmon Gillespie 1727 (Resigned, Advocate & Schoolmaster at Harrow)
Pearson, Nigel William 1779 (Solicitor, Rabobank International)
Peck, Julian Forbes Arbuthnott 1626 (Accountant & Co Director, Flemings Merchant Bank)
Penney, Michael Alexander Campbell 1646 (Son of 1394, Auditor to C of S; Nephew of 1454 Planter)
Perfect, Alan Peter George (Resigned)
Perring, C. J.
Peterson, John Murray 1647 (Sheriff)
Phemister, John Clark 1651 (Physician, Resigned)
Prince Philip, 1662 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, K.G. (Honorary Member)
Pierrepont, John 1600 (Resigned, D.F.C; Merchant Taylor and Freeman of the City of London)
Picton-Philips, P. J. C. (M.A.)
Pinkerton, John Macpherson 1767 (B.A.Oxon. LL.B .Edin. Advocate; Auth. Minutebook of the Fac.of Ads)
Pollock, Alexander (Sheriff, Grampian H&I, Aberdeen)
von Poser und Gross Naedlitz, M.
Prenter, Patrick Robert 1752 (B.A., CBE, Hydr.Eng., Ch. Midl. Chamb. Com., P.P.Scot.Eng., Dir.LothH.A)
Prosser, W D



R

Rackowe, Robin 1712 (B.A .Camb., Pres. International Marine Fisheries Company; Adviser Vietnam Govt.)
Ramsay, Alan Douglas Monro 1723 (of Bowland, B.A. Oxford)
Reid, Ainslie Macdonald (Solicitor Dundas & Wilson, CS, Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edin.)
Reid, Richard R. (Advocate)
Rennie, Archibald Louden 1682 (Priv. Secy. to Secy. of State 1962-63; Ass. Secy. to S.H. & H. Dept.)
Rice, P A
Richardson, M. H.
Riddiough, Ralph Leigh (Solicitor, Fyfe Ireland W.S., Edinburgh)
Risk, M. J. R.
de Roeck, R. S.
Robertson, I M
Robertson, R. B.
Robertson, William Brian (Solicitor, of Lindsays W.S., Edinburgh)
Robinson, D B
Rose, Morris James Alexander 1624 (Sheriff)
Ross, Donald MacArthur 1642 (Ex-Lord Just. Clerk, V-Pres. RSE; Resgd., Architect of JAB)
Ross, D M
Ross, Sinclair Alexander 1763 (Solicitor, Russell & Aitken, Falkirk)
Rowe, J E R (B.L.


S


Sadler, David Gerald 1746 (B.A. Oxford, W.S.)
Salveson, Andrew E. H. (Board of Grampian Enterprise, 1995-98)
Sambrook, Harold Keith 1673 (M.A. Camb. Publisher)
Scott, Malcolm C. N. (Q.C., Director, Mid Wynd Int. Inv. Trust/Baillie Gifford)
Scott Moncrieff, John Kenneth (Solicitor, Murray Beath Murray W.S. Edinburgh)
Shearer, I. G.
Shewan, A.
Simpson, David Macdonald 1794 (B.A. Oxon., F.F.I., Actuary, Memb. Disc. Comm. Fac. of Ads.)
Simpson, Philip J. D. (Advocate, 'Chapters in a History of Private Law in Scotland', etc.)
Simpson, Patrick William (C.A., Dep. Chair. Edin. New Town Cons. Trust, son of 1285, brother of 1581, nephew of 1302 & 1381)
Smelt, J. C.
Smith, Alastair Melville John (Solicitor to the Advocate General)
Smith, G. T. E.
Smith Ralph A., (QC. Advocate Depute 1994-95{ad-hoc}, Jr. Counsel to Lord Pres. 1998-99)
Smith, Ronald Elsworth 1786 (B.A. De Pavio, M.A. Edin., Dip. Ed., Philosopher)
Smith, Thomas Brown 1595 (Broun Smith, Prof. of Law at Aberdeen & Edin; author of law books)
Speirs, John Garret 1749 (Non-Resident, Oxford M.B.A., Industrial Engineer)
Spence, M. A.
Staniforth, John Broke Duncan 1781 (Marketing)
St Clair, D. M.
St Clair, J. B. (Advocate, Co-author 'Law of Corporate Insolvency-Scotland' w/Lord Drummond Young)
St John, Edmund Oliver 1649 (B.L. W.S.; Member of Rent Assessment Panel for Scotland 1994-95)
Steel, William Macpherson 1596 (B.L. Edin. W.S.)
Stein, Colin Norman Ralph (BA (Hons), LL.B., Sheriff of Tayside Central & Fife at Arbroath)
Stevenson, P. D. (Director of British Energy, {currently enjoying £650m public overdraft})
Stevenson-Hamilton, A. J.
Stewart, David Logan (B.A. Cantab. LL.B. W.S. Solicitor Morton Fraser)
Stewart, Keith D. (Advocate, Edinburgh)
Stewart, Quintin Kennedy 1734 (B.L Edin. Solicitor; Secy., Scotch Whisky Association1997.)
Stewart, William Ian 1629 (Sir William, Pres. R.S.E.; Q.C., Solicitor General 1972)
Stirling, John Boyd (Solicitor with Bennet & Robertson, Edinburgh)
Strachan, Michael Francis 1586 (B.A.Camb. MBE. Ship-owner, Salmonier Shipping Company)
Strachan, Timothy Warren 1639 (Clerk of the Faculty of Advocates, 1958-67)
Strang Steel, Malcolm Graham (Solicitor with Turcan Connell W.S. Princes Exchange)
Stuart, Alexander John Mackenzie 1620 (BA. Camb. LL.B. Edin.Advocate; Captain Royal Engineers)
Stuart, Michael Albert ,(B.A. LL.B. Solicitor, Maclay Murray Spens)
Sutherland, Alister Macdonald 1716 (Solicitor, Burness W.S. & Sec. Leven Dist. Salm. Fish. Board)
Swan, G. N. I.
Swann, Michael 1778 (Professor, Principal University of Edinburgh. Honorary)



T

Taggart, C. A.
Tait, Ivan Ballantyne 1720 (Surgeon F.R.C.S.E., F.R.C.S. Eng.)
Tart, A. K.
Taylor, J. S.
Thin, Douglas Ainslie 1714 (Bookseller & Publisher)
Thompson, J. B. S. (LL.B.)
Thomson, B. J. P.
Thomson, Gordon Graham Turner (BA. Camb.; Printer, schoolmaster, & television producer)
Thomson, Nigel Earnest Drummond 1684 (Advocate & Author, Sheriff-Substitute at Hamilton)
Thomson, William Ronald Erskine 1770 (Ch. British Assets Trust, Charlotte Sq., Dir. ISIS Trust etc)
Tindall, B. H. Tindall (Lecturer in Architecture University of Edinburgh)
Tindley, P. J.
Todd, D. W. S.
Topping, Michael Robert 1739 (M.A., LL.B. lecturer in law Edinburgh University; Prof. Addis Ababa)
Traprain, Viscount 1724 (4th Earl of Balfour, Gerald Arthur James Balfour, JP {of Whittinghame}.)
Tyndall, Mark R.J. (Founder of Artemis Unit Trust Managers)
Tytherleigh-Strong, G. M. (Physician, granted non-residing privileges)



U

Upton, Michael G. J. (Advocate)
Urquhart, Ronald MacDuff 1664 (B.A. Oxford, LL.B. Edin., T.D. W.S)
Usher, Harry Graham 1730 (B.A.Camb., Merchant)



V

Vink, Peter Hendrik Johan de 1787 (Peter de Vink, Financier; Mem. S.I.A.B; M.D. of E.F.G.H; etc)
Voelcker, Richard Paul 1689 (Resigned, M.A. Agriculturist)



W

Wailes-Fairbairn, N W
Walker, Michael James 1725 (Ch. J.Walker Timber, Aberforth S L plc, Dir. Lothian Health Board.)
Walker, Nigel David 1671 (M.A. Oxon, Ph.D. Edin., Ass. Sec. Scottish Home & Health Dept.; Author)
Walker, William MacLelland 1667 (Q.C., Social Security & Child Support Commissioner)
Ward, Max C.B. (Ex-Scottish Mortgage, Manager Baillie Gifford, Scot. Investment Trust, etc.)
Warner, Graeme C. (Sheriff, Grampian H&I, Aberdeen)
Waterlow, Simon Gordon 1747 (Non-Resident, B.A. Camb., Printer)
Watson, John Donald Mackenzie 1627 (C.A.)
Watt, Edward Bruce (Solicitor, Henderson Boyd Jackson W.S., Edinburgh)
Watt, B. T.
Watt, Robert James Gordon 1655 (B.A. Camb.LL.B. WS.)
Wedderburn, Thomas MacLaglan 1598 (B.A. Camb., C.A., W.S., brother of 1517)
Weir, D B
Weir, Evan Hugh 1637 (B.A. Cambridge, LL.B, W.S.)
West, David Alexander 1686 (B.A. Camb., Lecturer in Humanity Edin., Author)
Wheatley, M. R. P. H. D.
Whiteman, R. D. (M.Phil., Minister of the Scottish Episcopalian Church)
Wilberforce, R. W.
Wilkins, R. M. (B.A., MSc)
Willey, G. J.
Wilson, Calum S. (Advocate, Advocates Library, Parliament House)
Wilson, Ian William Scott (Master Printer, President, Junior Chamber Scotland, 1952-53)
Wood, Malcolm James (Solicitor with Standard Life Assurance Co.)
Wood, Thomas Andrew Urquhart 1609 (B.A. Oxon. Advocate; Sheriff-Substitute at Glasgow)
Wright, J. G. L. (member, Friends of Dundee City Archives)
Wright, John N. (QC, Dep. Commnr., Soc. Sec. Child Supp; Mem. Lands Tribunal for Scot. )



Y

Young, Sir Stephen Stewart Templeton (Sheriff Principal, North Strathclyde, Trinity Coll., Ox.)
Younger, Robert Edward Gilmour 1788 (The Hon. Sheriff of Tayside Central & Fife)



Dated List of Members who have been admitted to 'Honorary Privileges'.


12 October 1954 HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh*
2 July 1975 Ivor Guild
2 July 1975 Professor Alan Watson*
15 October 1980 Sir John Burnett*^
16 December 1987 Sir David Smith*^
23 June 1989 Rt Hon Lord Mackay of Clashfern PC
9 February 1994 Professor Geoffrey Barrow*
29 November 1995 Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland*^
13 January 1999 Allan Massie*
10 January 2001 Rt Hon Lord Hope of Craighead PC
13 March 2002 Very Rev Gilleasbuig MacMillan*

* Not previously Members of the Society
^ Principals of Edinburgh University

Queen Victoria School’s governing body is the BOARD OF HER MAJESTY'S COMMISSIONERS who are responsible to the Secretary of State for Defence. “Spec” members, Lord Cullen, Lord Ross and Prince Philip have all been on the Board and had a leading legal responsibility for the custody and care of the pupils at QVS, not least those who were physically and sexually abused.

Non-Spec members - but could well be Masons nevertheless - Malcolm Rifkind, Ian Lang and Michael Forsyth, as Secretaries of State for Scotland respectively from 11 January 1986 to 28 November 1990, from 28 November 1990 to 5 July 1995, and from 5 July 1995 to 2 May 1997, were all Presidents of the Board of Her Majesty’s Commissioners.

As Secretary of State for Defence from 10 April 1992 to 5 July 1995, MALCOLM RIFKIND had PRINCIPAL responsibility for the children at QVS during that period.

this list will steadily diminish as it is checked, letter by letter entry by entry against the prime list at the start of the blog (The Top of!)

The SPEC. For the 207th Session 2001-2002

The SPEC. For the 207th Session 2001-2002


The Roll of The Office-Bearers and Ordinary Members of
The Speculative Society of Edinburgh For the 207th Session 2001-2002.


Current Officers:

Presidents.
J.M.Barne.(Johnathan Michael, Solicitor with Shepherd & Wedderburn, Saltire Court, Edinburgh)
D.B.B.Leeming?
J.M.N.McLeod?
E.J.Mackie?
C.A.Mackie?

Secretary: E.C.R. Hollis (Edward, Architect,Lecturer,Media Arts,MerchistonCampus,NapierUni)
Librarian: C. E. Duthie?

Ordinary Members:
W. J. Frain-Bell (William, Advocate;Tory Cand.1997;Mem.YoungIntArbPractGp;Ed.FirmMagazine)

R. E. C. Johnson (B.Sc.)
R. M. Wilkins (B.A. MSc)
J. M. Barne. (B.A. LL.B.Solicitor, see above)
W. M. D.Mercer (Walter, Advocate,VisLecUniAberdeen; Mem. PrivacyLaw Comm, Law Soc Scotland )
R. S. Curtis?
F.G. A. Ogilvy (BSc.)
J. M. N. McLeod?
C. A. Heggie. (LL.B. Solicitor, Bell & Scott, 16 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LD )
J. P. Anderson (B.A.)
P. V. P. Blackledge.(B.mus)
R. E. I. Fitch (M.A.)
C. E. Duthie (M.A.)
E. J. Mackie (LL.B.)
E. F. McVicar (Euan Forbes,Solicitor, Associate, McGrigor Donald, advised BOSonPFI/PPPschemes)

L. Butler (B.A. M.A. P.h.D.)
M. A. Stuart. (Michael Albert, BA.LL.B.Solicitor, Maclay Murray Spens,)
D. M. G. Duncan. (LL.B.)
A.M. Learmont. (Advocate,Tutor in Evidence,University of Edinburgh; C/O Susan Hastie, F.A.)
A.J. Cosser. (LL.B.)
J. B. S. Thompson. (LL.B)
J. A. G. Graham (M.A M.Phil.)
A. Murray Threapland (M.S.C)
S. Z. K. Mercer-Wood?
R. D. Whiteman. (M.Phil; Minister of the Scottish Episcopalian Church,Sec. for the 208th Session)

Granted non-residing privileges more than one year ago:
G.M.Tytherleigh-Strong (Physician)
O.A.T.Draper?
W.A.C.Dawson.?

Chronological order List of Members who have been gifted with 'Honorary Privileges’

12 October 1954 HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh*
2 July 1975 Ivor Reginald Guild, CBE, W.S. FRSE, (Ex-Senior Partner in Shepherd & Wedderburn)

2 July 1975 Professor Alan Watson*(Head of Law, University of Georgia, School of Law)
15 October 1980. Sir John Burnett*^(Deputy Chair, Nature Conservancy Council)
16 December 1987. Sir David Smith*^(Chosen as one of 10 person panel to appoint the Judiciary)

23 June 1989. Rt Hon Lord Mackay of Clashfern PC. (Knight of The Order of The Thistle)
9 February 1994. Professor Geoffrey Barrow*(Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh)
29 November 1995. Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland*^(Principal of the University of Edinburgh)
13 January 1999. Allan Massie*(Journalist and Author)
10 January 2001.Rt Hon Lord Hope of Craighead PC (Law Lord, Ex-Lord President of the Ct.O.Ses.)

13 March 2002.The Very Rev. Gilleasbuig MacMillan*(Minister of St Giles Cathedral)
* Not previously Members of the Society
^ Principals of Edinburgh University

SPEC MEMBERS in chronological order (including Resigned etc.) from about 1947

Roll of Extraordinary Members in chronological order (including Resigned etc.) from about 1947.
Note the influence of the legal firm Shepherd & Wedderburn – along with many Royal connections.

SPECULATIVE SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH


1585 Henry Alexander Hepburn-Scott (Lord Polwarth,Resigned 1947; Governor BOS;Dir.various)
1586 Michael Francis Strachan (B.A.Camb. MBE. Shipowner, Salmonier Shipping Company)
1587 Ian Robertson Grant (B.A. Camb. Antiquarian Bookseller and Editor of the 1968 History)
1588 Ivor Reginald Guild (Ex-Snr Ptnr.Shepherd & Wedderburn;ChairDunedinWld.WdeInvTrust;etc)
1589 Neil McVicar M.A,Oxon. LL.B. Edin.Q.C. Chancellor to the Bishop of Edinburgh)
1590 Sir John Fraser, Bart (Honorary Member, Principal of the University of Edinburgh)
1591 Douglas Grant (F.R.S.E.; T.D. Publisher Brother of 1538; Cousin of 1587)
1592 Robert Smith Johnson (B.A. Cambridge, LL.B.Glasgow; Advocate Depute)
1593 Robert Ballantyne Anderson (Struck off Roll, T.D, W.S.)
1594 Rupert Iain Kay Moncreiffe(SirIainMoncreiffe,MALLB.PhD;Attache/Brit.EmbassyMoscow 46)
1595 Thomas Brown Smith (Broun Smith, Prof. of Law at Aberdeen & Edin; Author of Law books)
1596 William Macpherson Steel (B.L. Edin. W.S.)
1597 Patrick William Simpson(C.A; D.Ch.ENTCT;sonof1285,brotherof1581,nephew of1302&1381)
1598 Thomas Maclaglan Wedderburn (B.A. Camb.C.A. W.S. brother of 1517)
1599 Stewart Edward Bell (Resigned on departing to Malaya; Sheriff-Substitute at Glasgow)
1600 John Pierrepont (Resigned, D.F.C; Merchant Taylor and Freeman of the City of London)
1601 Hugh McKay Considine (Resigned, Edinburgh Academy 1932-37; B.A.Camb. LL.B.)
1602 Charles David Symington Cowan (Paper Trade; Manufacturing; Stockbroking)
1603 Laurence Jonathan Cohen (Lecturer&Fellow, Oxon,Edin,Dund,StAnd’s,Princton,&Harvard)
1604 Hamish George MacDuff Liddell(B.A.Oxon, LL.B.Edin;Ptnr.J&H Mitchell Perth; cousinof1594)
1605 The Hon Henry Shanks Keith (Law Lord, Lord Keith of Kinkel, d 2002)
1606 Sir David Gerald Moncreiffe of That Ilk. (Bart. & 23rd Laird of Moncreiffe; cousin of 1594)
1607 Edward Graham Marquis (M.A. LL.B. Cambridge, practiced as English Solicitor)
1608 William Thomson Hook (M.A. LL.B. Edinburgh, Sheriff at Greenock)
1609 Thomas Andrew Urquhart Wood (B.A. Oxon. Advocate; Sheriff-Substitute at Glasgow)
1610 David William Robert Brand (Resigned, M.A. LL.B. Q.C.; Solicitor General 1970)
1611 Norman Dunlop Galloway Galbraith (Shipowner, Sub-Lieutenant, Home Fleet)
1612 Joseph Michael Moran (Resigned; Draftsman Lord Advocate’s Department)
1613 Walter Archibald Elliott (Q.C. Barrister; Staff Captain Scots Guards)
1614 Alexander Dougal Callendar (B.A. Oxford, LL.B. Edin, W.S.; Captain Q.O.C.H.)
1615 Peter Herbert Butter (BA. Oxon; Prof; Lecturer at Edinburgh & Belfast Universities; Author)
1616 Paul Alexander Ingram (Chartered Surveyor; Captain Royal Artillery)
1617 David Yool Abbey (BA. Oxford, LL.B.; Advocate; Sheriff-Substitute at Airdrie)
1618 Peter Maxwell (Resigned, BA. Oxford, LL.B. Q.C.; grandson of 1027)
1619 Gordon Graham Turner Thomson (BA. Camb.; Printer, schoolmaster, & television producer)
1620 Alexander John Mackenzie Stuart (BA. Camb. LL.B. Edin.Advocate; Captain Royal Engineers)
1621 Charles Eliot Jauncey (Law Lord, Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle.) 1950.
1622 Edward Victor Appleton (Principal University of Edin. Honorary)
1623 Charles Evan Bruce-Gardyne, (LL.B. Member Royal Co of Archers; 14th Laird of Middleton)
1624 Morris James Alexander Rose (Sheriff)
1625 James Crawford Roger Inglis(PtnrS&W;DirR.B.of S;Ch.BritAssTrust;Friend George Bush Snr)
1626 Julian Forbes Arbuthnott Peck (Accountant & Co Director,Flemings Merchant Bank)
1627 John Donald Mackenzie Watson (C.A.)
1628 James Law (Q.C.I951; Member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board 1994)
1629 William Ian Stewart (Sir William, Pres. R.S.E.; Q.C. Solicitor General 1972)
1630 Ian William Scott Wilson (Master Printer, President, Junior Chamber Scotland, 1952-53)
1631 William Lorn Kerr Cowie (Law Lord, Lord Cowie)
1632 Ronald David Ireland (Q.C. & Honorary Prof of Law University of Aberdeen; Author)
1632a/ Alan Peter George Perfect (Resigned)
1633 John Raymond Johnstone (C.A.in Investment Trusts)
1634 Frank Harris Borden (M.A. University of Pennsylvania; A.B. Trinity College, Connecticut)
1635 Alexander Douglas Foulis (Bookbinder)
1636 Charles Kemp Davidson (Law Lord, Lord Davidson)
1636a/ Michael Donald Laird (Resigned, Michael Laird Partnership, Architects, Edinburgh)
1637 Evan Hugh Weir (B.A. Cambridge, LL.B, W.S.)
1638 Robert Lewis Campbell Lorimer (Author & Publisher, d.1996)
1639 Timothy Warren Strachan (Clerk of the Faculty of Advocates, 1958-67)
1640 Gerald Henry Elliot(SirGerald, MemRoyCoArchers; Chair.Christian Salvesen,ForthPorts.etc.)
1641 Angus George Millar (Investment Trust Manager)
1642 Donald MacArthur Ross (Lord,vP,RSE;Resgd;Chose chair for10 persons to appoint Judiciary)
1643 James Lachlan Martin Mitchell (Sheriff)
1644 Hugh Sinclair Arbuthnott (The Hon. Hugh of Cairnhill, Foreside, by Forfar, Angus Resigned)
1645 Harold Alexander Nicolson (LL.B. W.S.)
1646 Michael Alexander Campbell Penney (Son of1394, Auditor to C of S; Nephew of 1454 Planter)
1647 John Murray Peterson (Sheriff)
1648 John Veitch Paterson (Resigned,Sheriff at Selkirk)
1649 Edmund Oliver St John (B.L. W.S.; Member of Rent Assessment Panel for Scotland 1994-95)
1650 Iain William Noble (M.A. LL.B. WS)
1651 John Clark Phemister (Physician, Resigned)
1652 Donald Seymour Erskine (Fellow of the Chartered Land Agents Society, Estate Agent)
1653 Robert Ivan Kenyon-Slaney (Tobacconist & Snuff dealer, ceased to be a member d.1984)
1654 Alastair Graham Johnston (Resigned, M.A.)
1655 Robert James Gordon Watt (B.A. Camb.LL.B. WS.)
1656 Hugh Scott Douglas (B.A. Oxon. LL.B. W.S.)
1657 Robert Younger McLean (B.A. Camb. A.M.I.E.E. Electrical Engineer)
1658 William Leslie (B.A. Camb. LL.B. T.D. W.S.)
1659 Peter Laughlan Heath (B.A. Oxford; Prof. of Philosophy Univ. of Edin. & Virginia;Author)
1660 Alistair Archibald Macdonald (Sheriff substitute at Caithness, Orkney, & Zetland 1961)
1661 Douglas Nelson (Resigned M.A. LL.B.)
1662 HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, K.G. (Honorary Member)
1663 John Gwynne Clarke (Resigned Lecturer in French)
1664 Ronald MacDuff Urquhart (B.A. Oxford LL.B. Edin. T.D. W.S)
1665 Alastair Malcolm Morison (Law Lord, Lord Morison; son of 1417 Sir Ronald Morison)
1666 Robert Cochran Buist (Investment Trust Manager)
1667 William MacLelland Walker (Q.C. Social Security & Child Support Commissioner)
1668 Thomas Galloway Ian Hamnett (Advocate and lecturer at Edin. & Bristol Unis)
1669 Robert Mungo Maxtone Graham (Advocate and author of the Society’s literature)
1670 Ronald James King Murray (Q.C. MP; Law Lord, Lord Murray; Lord Advocate 1974)
1671 Nigel David Walker (M.A.Oxon ; PhD.Edin; Ass Sec. Scottish Home & Health Dept.; Author)
1672 Duncan Ian Black (Architect to the Scottish Development Dept.)
1673 Harold Keith Sambrook (M.A. Camb. Publisher)
1674 Ewan Kennedy Cameron (M.A. LL.B. Edin. W.S.)
1675 Hugh Roderick McLeod (B.A. Cambridge;Shipowner)
1676 James Peter Hymers Mackay (Lord Mackay of Clashfearn, Ex-Lord Chancellor.) 1955 1677 Nicholas Hardwick Fairbairn(d. Solicitor General,1979-1982)
1678 Norman Donald McLeod (Sheriff-Substitute at Glasgow)
1679 Donald Campbell MacRae Duff (Resigned 1958)
1680 Ralph Hamilton Law (Under-Secretary Dept of Fisheries Scotland)
1681 Kenneth John Cameron (of Lochbroom, Law Lord)
1682 Archibald Louden Rennie (P.S. to Sec of State for Scotland 1962-63; Ass Sec to Scottish H & H)
1683 John Robin Sinclair Bell (MBE in 1999 for services to Scottish Charities)
1684 Nigel Earnest Drummond Thomson (Advocate & Author Sheriff Substitute at Hamilton)
1685 Abraham Herman Cornelius Sinclair Gieben (non-resident Member, M.D. Amsterdam)
1686 David Alexander West (B.A. Camb. Lecturer in Humanity Edin; Author)
1687 James Kincade (B.A. Trinity; M.A. B. Litt. Oxford, Teacher)
1688 James John Clyde (Law Lord, Lord Clyde, son of 1403, Lord Advocate & grandson of 1131)
1689 Richard Paul Voelcker (Resigned, M.A. Agriculturist)
1690 William Gebbie Henderson (M.A. Edin. Publisher)
1691 Robert Gordon McIntyre (Executive with Morgan Crucible, son of 1410 The Hon Lord Sorn)
1692 Andrew Gray Muir (B.A. Oxford, LL.B. Edin; Solicitor at 89 Ravenscroft St. Edin; Son of 1442)
1693 Thomas Theodore Scott Ingram (Senior lecturer in Paediatric Neurology and Author)
1694 Patrick Kennard Harrison (Principal, Scottish Development Dept.)
1695 Robert Lake Crole (Schoolmaster at Fettes and Geelong G.S.)
1696 William Campbell Galbraith (Q.C.; Chair, Tribunal DHSS, 1997; Chair, Tribunal MAFF, 1994)
1697 Ian Gordon Fraser (B.A. Camb. LL.B. Edin.Solicitor)
1698 John Taylor Cameron (Law Lord, Lord Coulsfield)
1699 James George Milligan (Law Lord, Lord Milligan)
1700 David Bruce Weir (Law Lord, Lord Weir)
1701 George Munn (M.A. LL.B. d. while an ordinary member 1960)
1702 William Douglas Cullen (Lord Justice General, son of 1361)
1703 Iain Ferguson MacLaren (Surgeon; Dr Ian Chieftain of Clan Maclaren, 3 Minto Street, Edin.)
1704 Patrick McLellan Forman (B.A. Camb. LL.B. Edin; Fin Dir. Singleton Birch)
1705 Nigel John Milne (M.A. LL.B. Solicitor d. while an Ordinary Member)
1706 David Beattie Robinson (Lecturer in Greek Edin.)
1707 Ian Dayrell Craddock (Research Engineer)
1708 Stuart Ogilvy Kermack (Sheriff). 1960. 1709 Douglas Mark Kelso Grant (Sheriff-Substitute at Ayr)
1710 Robert Moncrieff Martin (M.A.St.And. LL.B. Edin.W.S. Son of 1470)
1711 William David Prosser (Law Lord, Lord Prosser)
1712 Robin Rackowe (B.A.Camb.Pres. International Marine Fisheries,Company;Adv,Vietnam Gov)
1713 James Robert Campling (Works Director)
1714 Douglas Ainslie Thin (Bookseller & Publisher)
1715 Nigel Walter Buchanan (B.A. Oxford; LL.B. W.S.)
1716 Alister Macdonald Sutherland (Solicitor, Burness W.S. & Sec.Leven Dist.SalmonFisheries Board)
1717 James Drummond Crerar (Solicitor, Dickson McNiven & Dunn, W.S.)
1718 John Murray (Q.C.;F.C.I.Arb; & Professor)
1719 Patrick Thomas Crofton Croker (B.A.Oxford ; Schoolmaster, Fettes College,1959-65)
1720 Ivan Ballantyne Tait (Sugeon F.R.C.S.E.; F.R.C.S.Eng.)
1721 Kenneth Hilton Osborne (Law Lord, Lord Osborne)
1722 Revel Oddy (Assistant Keeper of the Royal Scottish Museum)
1723 Alan Douglas Monro Ramsay (of Bowland, B.A. Oxford)
1724 Viscount Traprain (4th Earl of Balfour, Gerald Arthur James Balfour, JP {of Whittinghame}.)
1725 Michael James Walker (Ch.JasWalkerTimber;AberforthSplitLevel.plc;DirLothHB;wgHNHSt.)
1726 John Ainsworth Kelsall(B.A. Oxford, LL.B. Edin, Solicitor)
1727 Francis Salmon Gillespie Pearson (Resigned, Advocate & Schoolmaster at Harrow)
1728 Ronald Roxburgh Duff (B.A. Oxford; LL.B; W.S.)
1729 Maxwell Davidson Craig (Non-resident, Minister C.O.Scot; Assistant Principal Min.of Lab)
1730 Harry Graham Usher (B.A.Camb. Merchant)
1731 John Colin McInnes (B.A.Ox, LL.B. Edin; Q.C. Sheriff; Mem.Investigatory PowersTribunal)
1732 Michael Stewart Rae Bruce (Lord Marnoch, Law Lord)
1733 John Woodman Blair (Snr. Ptnr Anderson Strathearn; Dir Edinburgh Fund. Managers Group)
1734 Quintin Kennedy Stewart (B.L Edin. Solicitor; Co Sec, the Scotch Whisky Association1997.)
1735 John Anthony Howard Butters (B.A. Camb; LL.B. Edin.;Mem.ScottishValuationAdvisory Cll)
1736 Ranald Norman Munro MacLean (Law Lord, Senior Legal rep of 10 person panel to pick Judges)
1737 Francis O'Neill (Life Insurance Manager, Electrical Engineer)
1738 James David Peterkin Currie (Shipowner, J.P. Chairman of Jas. Currie & Co. son of 1468)
1739 Michael Robert Topping (M.A. LL.B. lecturer in law Edinburgh University; Prof. Adis Ababa)
1740 Robert William Grant (C.A. son of 1496 Lord Grant MP, Lord Advocate)
1741 William David Campbell (Architect, A.R.I.B.A.;)
1742 George Archibald Hope (C.A.apprentice)
1743 Robin Frederick Stewart Mackness (B.A. Camb. Importer & Manufacturer)
1744 Angus McFarlane McLeod Grossart(Ch.Brit.Assts.Trust/ISIS;Noble Grossart;R.B.o.S;Sco.Inv.T)
1745 Iain Duncan Macphail (Sheriff Principal, Edinburgh)
1746 David Gerald Sadler (B.A. Oxford W.S.)
1747 Simon Gordon Waterlow (Non-Resident, B.A.Camb; Printer)
1749 David Henry Rothwell Killick (Non-Resident, Barrister, Merchant)
1749 John Garret Spiers (Non-Resident, Oxford M.B.A. Industrial Engineer)
1750 James Arthur David Hope (Lord Hope of Craighead, former Lord President, son of 1399)
1751 John Alexander Crawford McFadden (M.A. LL.B. Aberdeen, Solicitor)
1752 Patrick Robert Prenter (B.A.CBE.Hydr.Eng. Ch.MidlChamComm;P.P.Scot.Eng;Dir.LothH.A)
1753 Kenneth MacKenzie Boyd (M.A. Edin. Theologian, and Author)
1754 James Martin Haldane (KT.ChAuditCtteUniStir;DirScot.Life;InvCapT/ISIS;C.A.Cheine&Tait)
1755 Rt. Hon. Sir Alec Douglas-Home (Ex-Prime Minister of the U.K.)
1756 Niall Gordon Campbell (R.Civil Servant,Head , Justice Dept.Criminal&Civil Law GroupScEx)
1757 Kenneth Glen Barr (Resigned, Sheriff of South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway at Dumfries)
1758 William Berry (K.T,Ch.M.B.M.W.S; Mem Ct of Uni St And; Dir:Scot. Life; Scot. Amer. Inv; Inchcape)
1759 Peter Maurice Bullick (Resigned, LL.B. Edin. W.S. Solicitor)
1760 Alan Charles Macpherson Johnston (Law Lord, Lord Johnston)
1761 Ian Douglas Lowe (M.A. Camb; Dip Agric. Camb; M.B.A. Harvard; Company Director)
1762 Christopher Murray Grieve (Hugh MacDairmid –Poet,Honorary Member)
1763 Sinclair Alexander Ross (Solicitor, Russell & Aitken, Falkirk)
1764 Colin John Campbell (A.R.I.C.S.;Q.A.L.A.S.;Chartered Surveyor)
1765 Robert David Darney Bertram (Ptn, Shep & Wed; Mem. Court Uni Edin; Mem Mon& Mer Com)
1766 Andrew Jameson McCulloch (of Ardwall, Solicitor,and author of Galloway: A land apart ) 1965
1767 John Macpherson Pinkerton (B.A.Oxon.LL.B.Edin.;Advocate; Auth.Minutebook of the F.o.A)
1768 James Almand Hayes (Extruded, Graduate of Georgia Military Acad; Theatre Director)
1769 Alan James Bruford (Author of Gaelic folk tales, Archivist, School of Scottish Studies Edin Uni)
1770 William Ronald Erskine Thomson (Ch.Brittish Assets Trust, 1 Charlotte Sq. Dir.ISIS Trust etc)
1771 Andrew Mark Kerr (B.A. Camb. LL.B. Edin. W.S. Solicitor.;Ctte.Mem,Clerk,W.S.Library)
1772 Lord James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton MSP (QC; Minister of State, Scottish Office 1995-97)
1773 David Logan Laird (Solicitor with ThorntonsW.S.Forfar; Board of Inver Dist.Salmon Fisheries)
1774 Ian William Dymock (Physician, author of: Clinical Pharmacology)
1775 Thomas David Mure Hart (C.A. in Brewing)
1776 John Alastair Cameron (Lord Abernethy, Law Lord)
1777 Martin Huggins (Dir.Edinburgh School of English;Business Consultant)
1778 Michael Swann (Professor,Principal University of Edin. Honorary)
1779 Nigel William Pearson (Solicitor, Rabobank International)
1780 Humphrey John Errington (Shipping, then, Cheesemaker, Lanark Blue)
1781 John Broke Duncan Staniforth (Marketing)
1782 Ian Andrew Noble (Ex Chair Skye Bridge Co; Ex Chair Noble Group; Noble Grossart;etc )
1783 Ian Robertson Learmonth (Stockbroker)
1784 Peter Jared Derby (B.Sc.Queens Uni,Belfast; Master of the Worshipful Company of Actuaries)
1785 Robin Orr Blair (M.A.St Andrews; LL.B. Edinburgh, W.S; The Lord Lyon King of Arms)
1786 Ronald Elswoth Smith (B.A. De Pavio, M.A. Edin; Dip. Ed. Philosopher)
1787 Peter Hendrik Johan de Vink (Peter De Vink, Financier; Mem. S.I.A.B; M.D. of E.F.G.H; etc)
1788 Robert Edward Gilmour Younger (The Hon.Sheriff of Tayside Central & Fife)
1789 Colin Neil McEachran (QC, Advocate Depute 1974-77; Pres.Pensions Appeal Trib. 1994-pres.)
1790 George Douglas Crawford (Journalist Editor of “Scotland”; Economist Scot.Cll.Dev.Ind.)
1791 Peter Mackay (SeniorCiv.Serv. retd ; Dir.Scottish Council Foundation; Dir. Several Companies)
1792 Robert Hamish Dickson (Sheriff at Airdrie, son of 1483 Sheriff at Hamilton)
1793 Arthur Campbell Hamilton (Law Lord, Lord Hamilton)
1794 David Macdonald Simpson (B.A.Oxon. F.F.I.;Actuary, Mem, Disc.Comm.F.o.A) 1968
1795* A. Lothian (Andrew, M A; Sheriff,The Lothians & Borders, at Edinburgh)
1796* P.L.H.McLure (B.A.Oxon. LL.B. W.S.)
1797*J. E. R. Rowe (B.L.)
1798*R. A. Hammond Chambers (Alex,Chair Ivory & Sime, now ISIS; Dir. Dobbies Gdn.Cntrs;etc)
1799*D.L.Stewart (B.A. Cantab. LL.B. W.S. David Logan Stewart, Solicitor Morton Fraser)
1800*J.M.Cowan (LL.B. John Michael, Solicitor, Condies, Perth)
1801*T.M.Craig (B.Sc; A.R.C.S.I; G.M.I. Mech.E.)
1802*J. Ivory (B.Comm; C.A.Trustee, Advocates for Animals)
1803*J.G.Mackenzie (M.A.LL.B.Cantab; Advocate)
1804*J. R. Griffiths (John Robert,Solicitor,W.S;Partner,Shep&Wedd; Ch.EmpLaw SocofScot.)
1805*D.H.R.Jenkins (M.B. C.h.B.)
1806*I. A. Fraser (M.A.; Dir, School of Celtic & Scottish Studies Univ of Edin;)
1807*D.C.P. McDougall (Douglas,Ex-B/Giff.ptr;Ch.IMRO;Dir.Scot.Inv.Trust;Monks Inv Trust;etc)
1808*H. Hunter Gordon (B.Sc.; Governor Moray House Institute of Education)
1809*L. D. M.MacKenzie (M.A.Edinburgh, Director, DGXXIII, European Commission)
1810*H. H. Campbell (Hugh H, QC; F.C.I.Arb;B.A.Oxon;LL.B.Edin; Devilmaster, Lord Hope)
1811*W. A. Nimmo Smith (William Austin,Law Lord, Lord Nimmo Smith)
1812*E.Brown(Ewan,C.B.E.;M.A.LL.B.C.A.FCIBS.;Prof.ChH-WatUni.;Dir.Nob.Gross.LloydsTSB)
1813*P. J. C. Picton-Philips (M.A.)
1814*R. H. A. McNaught (B.A.Oxon;LL.B.Edin;Solicitor)
1815*R.R.J.Burns(Richard,B.A.Ox;LL.B; Dir.Scot.Life;Baillie.Gifford.&Co.Mid Wynd IntInvplc;etc)
1816*D. W. Bogie (Sheriff – d.)
1817*W.Gillies(M.A.Edin.B.A.Oxon.Prof.William is Hd. of Dpt, Prof.Of Celtic,Gov. H.I.ET;author)
1818*P.L.Fraser (Peter Lovat Q.C; Solicitor Gen.1982; Lord Fraser of Carmyllie Lord Advocate1989)
1819*A. Pollock (Sheriff)…………Extraordinary Membership data from official sources ends.
J.M.McGhie (Law Lord, Chair Scot.Lands Court; Appointed Pres. Lands Tribunal Scot. by Lord Pres)
W. W. Montagu-Douglas-Scott (Walter William born 1946 at Eildon Hall,of Buccleuch & Queensberry)
C. N.Davidson Kelly?
E. W. Barnes?
G. C. Warner (Graeme,Sheriff at Aberdeen)
B. A. Kerr (Bruce, Sheriff at Glasgow picked for10 member selection panel for Judicial Appointments)
J. G. L. Wright (member, Friends of Dundee City Archives)
A. E. H. Salveson (Andrew, Board of Grampian Enterprise, 1995-98)
R. A. McCall Smith (Alexander {Sandy} Prof of Medical Law University of Edinburgh)
P. D. Stevenson (Director of British Energy plc. 10 Lochside Place Edinburgh, EH12 9DF)
W. Grant Scott (Dr W.Grant Scott made submission to City of Ed. Cll. Dev.Sub.Comm.23/8/00)
A. V. Crowther?
J.G.D.Ferguson (James, Ex-Ch.St.Ivory;Ch.Val&IncTst plc;Dir.MonksInvTst;CommFundManAssoc)
M.C.B.Ward (Max, Ex-Scottish Mortgage, Manager; Baillie Gifford; Scot. Investment Trust; etc.)
A. Shewan?
J. D. Hardman?
J. W. Blackie (B.A. LL.B; Prof of Law, The Law School,University of Strathclyde, 173 Cathederal St)
H. M.Holmes (H.H.Holmes,Accountants, specialists in Tax planning,10 GloucesterPlace, Edinburgh)
A. C. M. Johnston (Alan Charles Macpherson, Law Lord, Lord Johnston)
K. Lawson?
A. J. E. Foster
V. Lall (VikramCA.Dir.MalcolmGp;Ex-GrpnHol,NobGros; Dir.BrewinDolphin;Mem.SIDAB;)
S. E. G. Guest (Simon Edward Graham, Solicitor with Bell& Scott, 16 Hill St Edinburgh)
R. Black (Robert,QC,Professor of Law and Head of the Faculty of Law, the University of Edinburgh)
J. N. Wright (John,QC,Deputy Commissioner,Soc.Sec.Child Supp; Mem.Lands Trib for Scot. )
M. G. Strang Steel (Malcolm Graham,Solicitor with Turcan Connell W.S. Princes Exchange)
J. MacAskill(Jamie MacAskill, Deputy News Editor, The Sunday Mail Scotland)
B.G.Ivory (Brian,CBE 1999 ;Non-ExecDir.HalifaxBankOfScotland; Dir Scot/Amer.Inv;ex-ceoH.Dis)
M. von Poser und Gross Naedlitz
J. K. Scott Moncrieff (John Kenneth,Solicitor, MurrayBeathMurrayW.S.39CastleSt.Edinburgh )
A. C. Hendry (Sheriff A. C. Henry at Glasgow?)
D. A. Y. Menzies (Duncan Adam Young,Law Lord, Lord Menzies)
C. P. B. MacLean (Colin, Dir.Brit.Ass.Man.Trust;ISIS;MDScot.Val.Man.Tst;Scot.Prov;etc.)
D. MacLehose
J. A. S. Murray (Professor John Murray QC?)
P. J. Ford (Dr.Lecturer and Professor at the University)
Sir Stephen Young (Sheriff Principal)
M. G. Clarke (Matthew Gerald, Law Lord, Lord Clark)
R. A. McAllister (Richard, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Edinburgh)
G. N. I. Swan?
Alan Maclean of Dochgarroch
A. C. M. Liddell (Andrew Colin MacDuff, Solicitor, J & H Mitchell, 51 Atholl Rd, Pitlochry.)
J. C. Elliot?
D. Lorimer?
J. W. McNeill (James,QC C/O Lesley Flynn, Advocates Library, Parliament House)
C. W. MacFarlane (Q.C. Sheriff of Glasgow & Strathkelvin, at Glasgow)
J. E. Drummond Young (James Edward, Law Lord, Lord Drummond Young)
R. J. Angus (R. J.C. Angus Q.C. Commissioner to the Social Security & Child Support Agency)
M. J. Wood (Malcolm James, Solicitor with Standard Life Assurance Co Exec.Office, Lothian Rd)
M. C. N. Scott (Malcolm, Practicing Q.C.& Director, Mid Wynd Int.Inv.Tst.plc./Baillie Gifford )
M. J. R. Risk?
D. W. S. Todd?
N. A. Fyfe (Norman Alexander, Solicitor Miller Beckett & Jackson, 190 St Vincent St, Glasgow)
P. A. Rice?
C. N. R. Stein (Floating Sheriff of Tayside Central & Fife at Arbroath)
D. M. St Clair?
W. G. McCosh?
R. H.Chapman Campbell?
R. M. Hodge (Robin, Publisher of the List event/venue guide for Edinburgh & Glasgow)
T. Mackie (Thorold Mackie, Investment Analyst, ING Barings Charterhouse Securities)
S. L. Adams?
P. J. Tindley?
D. A. Elston (David Aitken, Solicitor, Royal Bank of Scotland, The Broadstone, Edinburgh)
R. W. Wilberforce?
H. W. de Burgh (Prof. Media & Communications, Goldsmiths College, Uni. of London)
D.O.Forfar (David, Sen. Lect Dep. Of Actuarial Maths &Stats. Heriot-WattUni; author/Actuarial)
M. A. Spence
D.S.Burns (David QC; Advocate Depute1991-93;Dep.Comis.of Soc.Sec.1998-now; 4 Pentland Av.Ed)
H.M.Grossart (Hamish,DirMartinCurrieI&G;RoyalDoulton;CairnEgy;IndigoVision;Scot.RadioHdgs)
H.Lockhart?
A. L. C. Byatt (Andrew Lorne Campbell, Solicitor with Morton Fraser, 30-31 Queen St Edinburgh)
C. D. Boisseau
W. B. Robertson (William Brian, Solicitor of Lindsays W.S. 11 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh)
P. A. Harris?
T. G. Packe (T.G.Packe, Chartered Surveyors, Linlithgow)
B. H. Tindall (Lecturer in Architecture University of Edinburgh)
J. B. StClair (Advocate; Co-wrote “The Law of Corp. Insolvency/Scotland” with Lord Drummond Young)
J.W.S. Macfie (John, Solicitor; Hon. Sec. Scot. Tartan Soc; Stevenson House, 17 Heriot Row Edinburgh)
M.R.J Tyndall(Mark, Artemis Unit Trust Managers, which he formed in1997) www.artemisonline.co.uk
N. W. Wailes-Fairbairn?
R. G. Irvine?
P. R. Leckie (Ross, Dir Martin Currie; author “Bluff your way in the Classics”; Journalist; Tory Candidate)
P. R. Elliot?
R. B. Robertson?
R. R. Reid (R. Richard, Advocate, (now Britain’s youngest ever judge) 33 Regents Terrace Edinburgh, EH7 5BS))
D.I. Lindgren (David,Solicitor & Partner, Fyfe Ireland W.S. Orchard Brae House,30 Queensferry Rd)
A.J.Laird Craig (Adrian,MD.TM Robertson Wine Cellars Edinburgh; Pres. Inst. W&Spir Scot; Old Stoic)
C. S.Wilson (Calum, Advocate, YOC.2000, C/O Manderson, Advocates Library, Parliament House)
J. R. Oberlander (Dr Jon, Reader in Cognitive Science, Division of Informatics, University of Edin)
I. G. Armstrong (Iain, QC. Advocate Depute, 2000-present; Clerk of Faculty 1995-1999)
R. A. Smith (Ralph, QC. Advocate Depute 1994-95{ad-hoc}; Jun. Council to Lord President 1998-99)
R. K. Leslie?
J. S. Taylor?
S. J. F. Dessain?
G. J. Willey?
S. A. S. Morrison (Stephen Andrew Simpson, American Solicitor registered with the Law Soc of Scot)
N. W. Holroyd (Nicholas, Advocate, 30, Royal Circus; Ex-tutor Univ.Edin. “Delict&Civil Court Pt)
N. M. Cameron?
J. B. Stirling (John Boyd, Solicitor with Bennet & Robertson, George IV Bridge)
R. M. M. Campbell?
A. M. Reid (Ainslie Macdonald, Solicitor Dundas & Wilson, CS, Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace)
D. B. M. Cavaye (David, Investment Man. Securities Trust Scotland/Martin Currie, Saltire Court)
M. J. W. Horden?
D. R. Le B Francis (Derick, Advocate and member of the English Bar; Registered Insurance Broker)
J. C. Smelt?
C.A.McIver (Calum Alexander, Solicitor, D.L.A.Scotland, Napier House, 27 Thistle St Edinburgh)
P. J. Brodie (P.Jonathan, Advocate, Standing Junior Counsel to the Dept. Soc Sec. & The Bible Board)
G. T. E. Smith?
A. W. M. Dickson?
A. J. Stevenson-Hamilton?
H. J. G. Mair (Hamish, Dir. Martin Currie Inv. Man. Ltd; Man Martin Currie Return Trust)
HonAR Bruce (Adam,Lawyer/Lobbyist,Dir.McGrigor Donald Public Policy; Tory candidate.1997)
C H S MacNeill (Calum, Advocate, Advocate Depute1998-2001, 14 Abercrombie Place, Edinburgh)
D. Davidson (Adv.?)
M. G. J. Upton (Michael, Advocate, 9 South-East Circus Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6TJ)
M. W. M. R. MacPhee?
M A Hogg (Mr M A Hogg Faculty of Law UniEdin, co-author of book with Prof Hector McQueen)
K. D. Stewart (Keith, Advocate, 4f/2, 34 Home Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LZ)
Hon. J. D. L. Hope (Solicitor son of Lord Hope of Craighead 1750 grandson of 1399)
P. A. Michael?
S. D. R. Bowie (Simon, Advocate, 57 Stephen Street Edinburgh EH3 5AH)
G. D. M. Mitchell (Geoffery, Advocate, 10 Darnaway Street, Edinburgh EH4 6BG)
M. R. P. H. D. Wheatley?
C. J. Perring?
B. J. P. Thomson?
J. Gotelee (Johnathan Gotelee Architects)
A. M. Godfrey?
I A McI Mowatt (Ian Alastair McIvor, Solicitor with Haig-Scott, Struan House,16 Corstorphine Rd)
C. J. M. Halblander?
C. A. Taggart?
M. H. Richardson?
N. R. V. Dorman?
R. I. Macpherson (Robin Ian, Solicitor, Partner with Brodies W.S.15 Atholl Cres, Edinburgh EH3)
G. L. MacColl (Gavin, Advocate, 76 Hamilton Place Edinburgh EH3 5AZ)
R. L. Riddiough (Ralph Leigh, Solicitor, Fyfe Ireland W.S. Orchardbrae House, 30 Queensferry Rd)
N. S. Bisset (Norman Shirsinger, Solicitor, C.M.S. Cameron McKenna, Migvie House, Aberdeen)
E. B. Watt (Edward Bruce, Solicitor, Henderson Boyd Jackson W.S. 19 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh)
B. T. Watt?
I. G. Shearer?
B. Hennigan (Brian, Writer, Vice-Chair of Board of Mediabase)
P. J. D. Simpson (Philip, Advocate, author of “Chapters in a History of Private Law in Scotland, etc)
R. S. de Roeck?
A. M. J. Smith (Alastair Melville John, Solicitor to the Advocate General, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh)
A. K. Tart

IS THE SPEC A FORCE for GOOD or EVIL?

Is the Speculative Society a force for good or bad?

There is some suggestion that Speculative Society members were active in promoting the American Rebellion – better known as the American War of Independence.

Elsewhere on this site you will see that an early member Dugald Stewart occupied Edenside, Kelso – from whence I am currently writing this note. Indeed local folk law has it that a number of the first meetings of the Speculative Society were held in this very house.

Again there is substantial evidence to suggest that ‘Spec’ Society members were at the forefront in promoting the ‘Scottish Enlightenment’ along with new ideas in economics, law and philosophy.

Currently there is great debate over a pervasive influence by ‘Spec’ members. Some influence, I believe may be true – other I know is not. Over the forthcoming months not only will such be examined but membership details and cross links will be given in the unfolding Who’s Who being published on this site.

Only today I was asked if John Parkes was the victim of a ‘Spec’ Plot – given that the Inner House Court of Session Bench of the 17th May 2006 consisted of two recognised ‘Spec’ members along with their solicitors Shepherd & Wedderburn – I prudently answered that I think not but it is unfortunate that the question needs to be asked.

Below I provide some further Speculative Society details:

On 17 November 1764 the Speculative Society of Edinburgh was founded by six men including Edinburgh's most established publisher of the day, WILLIAM CREECH, acknowledged as the prime instigator, and ALLAN MACONOCHIE, LORD MEADOWBANK.

In the next three years the following persons had been admitted by majority ballot to the "Spec" and their names are recorded as Members of the Society in 1814, AND THEY ARE ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAME MASONIC LODGE.


HEW DALRYMPLE (LORD DRUNMORE)
WILLIAM KEITH
CHARLES HAY
JAMES GREGORY
JOHN RUTHERFORD
JAMES TYTLER
ANDREW DUNCAN
LORD BINNING
SIR JOHN SINCLAIR
DUGALD STEWART
PRINCE DASCHKOW OF POLAND
ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL
CHARLES HOPE


The names of the above fifteen persons are recorded in the Roll of Members of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No 2, a Masonic temple in Edinburgh's St John's Street.

Canongate Kilwinning is arguably the most prestigious Masonic Lodge in Scotland and is still active today, having Knights Templar and Royal Arch Chapters within its walls.

To View The Original Article at source CLICK HERE

The Page Above is from an external site and we are unable to stand by it in our own name, either its data or its opinions, however we have no reason to believe it is in any way inaccurate or we would not have included it on this site.

GROSSART, Sir Angus

GROSSART, Sir Angus McFarlane McLeod

Sir Angus Grossart, Kt, CBE, is a Scottish businessman.

Born in Lanarkshire, 6 April 1937
Schooled at The Glasgow Academy and
studied law at Glasgow University.
He proudly recalls honing his business skills at a Barrowlands stall selling reject toffee.

He is chairman and executive director of Edinburgh-based merchant bank Noble Grossart.

His many high profile positions have included:
Vice Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland;
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, National Galleries of Scotland, 1988-97;
Chairman of the Fine Art Society;
Chairman of Lyon & Turnbull, auctioneers.

Current claimed personal wealth £80M

Practiced Law at Edinburgh bar for 7 years specialising in Tax & Commerce.
Founded Noble Grossart Bank, with Iain Noble in 1969 but Noble sold out after 2 years.

1978 fell foul of Financial Regulators and was criticised.

Who’s Who entry (2003):

Grossart, Sir Angus (McFarlane McLeod), Kt 1997; CBE. 1990; DL; Managing Director, since 1969, and Chairman, Noble Grossart Ltd, Merchant Bankers, Edinburgh, since 1990; Chairman, Scottish Investment Trust Plc, since 1975, merchant banker;

born 6th April 1937;
3rd son of William John White Grossart and Mary Hay Gardiner,
married 1978, Mrs Gay Thomson; one daughter.

Educated Glasgow Academy; Glasgow University (MA 1958, LLB 1960). CA. 1962; Member of Faculty of Advocates, 1963.
Practiced at the Scottish Bar, 1963- 1969.

Major directorships include:
Edinburgh US Tracker Trust (formerly American Trust); The Royal Bank of Scotland (Vice Chairman); Scottish Financial Enterprise; British Petroleum Scottish Board; Trinity Mirror (formerly Mirror Group) Plc; Scottish & Newcastle Plc; Scotland Internat; Edinburgh Fund Managers Plc; Member Scottish Development Agency; Dir, St. Andrews Management Inst., 1990-97 (Chm. Adv. Council, 1994-97); Chm., Bd. Of Trustees, National Galleries of Scotland, 1988-97 (Trustee, 1986-97); Trustee and Dep. Chm, National Heritage Memorial Fund; Vice President, Scottish Opera; Director Edinburgh International Film Festival, 1994-96; Friends of Royal Scottish Academy; Chairman Fine Art Society., 1998- . Formerly: Trustee, Scottish Civic Trust; Director Scottish National Orchestra; Member Scottish Industrial Development Adv, Bd. FRSE 19989. DL 1985; Hon. DBA Strathclyde, 1998. Hon FCIBS 1999. Lord Provost of Glasgow Award for public service 1994. Formerly, Scottish Editor, British Tax Encyc., and British Tax Rev.

Recreations:
golfing (runner-up, British Youth’s Golf Championship, 1957; Captain Scottish Youths Internat., 1956-57), the applied and decorative arts, Scottish castle restoration.

Address: 48 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 3NR. Telephone 0131 226 7011. Clubs: New, Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Edinburgh); Royal and Ancient (St. Andrews)


20-11-2003 THERE is a quartet of ultra-high net-worth individuals we have chosen to omit from the list. In the case of Tom Hunter, David Murray, Sir Angus Grossart and Chris Gorman it is impossible for us to make an accurate assessment of their income because of the labyrinth of company structures that have been created.
To read the whole article CLICK HERE

14-11-2008 - Sir Angus Grossart 'must quit SFT'
CLICK HERE

16-05-2009 - Having read The Scotsman article it is hard to believe that Sir Angus Grossart's cross over directorships show a lack of self interest whilst on the one hand directorships of banks are shown to buy and sell so called works of art his directorahip of a Fine Art auction house and of Scottish region galleries would seem to display a conflict of interest that would require the wisdom of Solomon rather than his apparent patron King Midas.

One wonders how the crass daubings of family members find their way into corporate and Scottish galleries! It would seem that he grants himself not just the privilege of sitting on his bamboo wall but of joining the mellee on such sides as suit him, frequently several sides at once it would seem.

This type of behaviour calls into question the integrity of the entire Scottish banking and legal structure!
CLICK HERE

We note with interest that on Martin Frost's web site at CLICK HERE he says:
Note: Since my articles on the RBS appeared on this web site I have been approached by a number of press men who have enquired about possible ‘dirt’ on Sir Angus Grossart. I refuse to be drawn on possible criminal indiscretions or gender preferences. I am not prepared to comment further than that which is to be found in the web section ‘The Art of Spying’.


12-12-2009 - Sir Angus Grossart Featured in The Scotsman - an interesting comentary related to the dynastic behaviour of The Grossart family and comments thereon:
'For details of the secretive and seemingly malign Speculative Society of Edinburgh, of which Sir Angus Grossart and his considerably less successful nephew Hamish Grossart are both members with some of the most 'dubious' characters in legal and banking circles in Scotland - and for a membership list with certain details and apparent links with Satanism as with the layout of St. Andrew Square, one of the most prestigious addresses in Scottish business circles, home of the failed Royal Bank of Scotland of which Sir Angus Grossart was a director, the bank that has had to be subsidised by British tax payer to stay afloat'.


'There are those who question why the likes of Sir Angus Grossart are still seen as doyens of banking, having presided over such a debacle and why tax payers are expected to bail out the bank whilst he still boasts of the £90 Million he made in the good years!'

For the whole article: CLICK HERE

There is an interesting if utterly sychophantic recent article in The Scotsman - very light weight and very tongue in cheek CLICK HERE

One commentator recently said:
You summed him up very well. He also reminds me of Rushton & Co. in the book, "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists". Here was a man like Gusset that ripped off and skimmed off everyone, using his influence on all the boards and the Council, positions, etc., as a cover up for his own greed and self-indulgence. Clearly, this man lives in a different world from everyone else, similar to the late Robert Maxwell. He puts out all this public persona, "how great thou art" when in reality, many hard working, low wage earners suffer under him. I'm quite sure these "salt of the earth" would love just one day in his rich shoes and have just one leaf out of his bank book!


How can this man possibly be totally effective anywhere when he serves on so many boards. Does this then make him Jack of all trades and Master of none? Or, most likely he is on all these boards to gain inside information for his own ends.

Interesting that the reporter notes that Gusset spoke for a full 5 minutes without being able to look him in the eye! So what is he trying to hide?

The previous commentator summed it up well. He most definitely is a rotten, stinking noble from Robert the Bruce's era.

From what I have learned and all those both family, associates and journalists I have spoken with he is universally reveilled and the commentator is apt in his comment whilst the interviewer was far from competent at portraying this odious robber baron with his finger in far too many Scottish pies, to be of benefit, but a more likely cause of a deeply corrupting disease in Scottish society - where despite his money he is and will always remain an outsider disliked but feared whereas his nephew Hammish Grossart is merely disliked and despised particularly for the nasty little inadequates methods of buying people as praise singers.

It would seem to be a family trait that has made them seriously unpopular with many, though few dare tell the truth!

~~~~~~######~~~~~~

Clearly Sir Angus Grossart is a man with out integrity, morality or ethics - a man utterly without principles with the same narcissistic tendencies found in other members of this evil family CLICK HERE


To understand the revolting nature of this man:

Insult to victims of Nazi holocaust as Scots Banker Grossart claims former RBS Chief Sir Fred Goodwin endured 'shades of Kristallnacht'

Scots Banker Sir Angus Grossart claimed his friend Sir Fred Goodwin has suffered over public attacks & broken windows. SCOTS LAWYER TURNED BANKER SIR ANGUS GROSSART has claimed former RBS Chief Executive Sir Fred Goodwin, the man dubbed as the “World’s Worst Banker” after his takeover of the Dutch banking giant ABN Amro, lead to the near collapse of RBS and subsequent multi billion pound bailout by UK taxpayers, has been treated as bad as the victims of Nazi Germany’s holocaust. where millions of Jews were rounded up and sent to Concentration Camps.


An insult to victims of Nazi Germany:
Sir Fred Goodwin’s suffering compared by Scots Banker to victims of holocaust.

Sir Angus Grossart, speaking in an interview in the Scotsman group’s Scotland on Sunday newspaper, and widely quoted in today’s Telegraph newspaper claimed the attacks on his friend Sir Fred Goodwin, who Grossart maintains has been made a “scapegoat” for the banking crisis, believing Sir Fred has apparently suffered effects from the public attacks on his character and actions as former Chief of the Royal Bank of Scotland, as bad as the suffering of Jewish victims of the terrors of Nazi Germany.


Grossart shockingly compared the broken windows of Goodwin’s Edinburgh mansion to “Kristallnacht”, (the Night of Broken Glass), an anti-Jewish pogrom in Hitler’s Nazi Germany which took place in November 1938 where up to 30,000 Jews were arrested and placed in concentration camps while 91 victims were murdered, 267 synagogues were destroyed and thousands of Jewish homes and businesses ransacked.


An insult to victims of Nazi Germany’s Kristallnacht : World’s Worst Banker’s broken windows brought little sympathy after banking collapse (Click on image to watch video)




Sir Angus, who is in regular contact with Sir Fred, said:
“I think he’s very sad at the way he was victimised. Shades of Kristallnacht. Clearly he made a mistake as did most people in the financial world, most people in government, most people in regulatory organisations. “There is no doubt he was going to be criticised, but I think there is a deliberate attempt to polarise the criticism, to some extent, as a distraction, a scapegoat kind of thing.”

Sir Angus added:
“A lot of people, including those in government, were also involved in mistakes and they did not have bricks thrown through their windows.”


I have news for you, Sir Angus – a lot of people in regulatory organisations make a lot less mistakes than we are led to believe.


There are quite a few characters in those regulatory organisations who, rather than make mistakes, deliberately let those they regulate off the hook, even when some of them have caused deaths. In fact, some of those people in regulatory organisations have covered up deaths and benefitted financially from them, an issue I reported on earlier with regard to the Scottish legal profession, here : Suicides, illness, broken families and ruined clients reveal true cost of Law Society's Master Policy which 'allows solicitors to sleep at night'


This latest attempt to rehabilitate Sir Fred, who amazingly still retains his kighthood for services to banking yet those services led to the biggest banking collapse in the UK’s history, affecting millions of people across the globe in a financial crisis which has seen many lose their jobs, homes, livelihoods, is a mark of the determination of some around Goodwin to bring him back into public life.


Douglas Mill 4Former Law Society of Scotland Chief Executive Douglas Mill defended Sir Fred Goodwin after RBS banking collapse. Others around Sir Fred such as Douglas Mill, the ex Law Society Chief Executive who was himself brought down after the now infamous "Granny’s Grave” Holyrood confrontation with the Scottish Government’s Finance Chief John Swinney over corruption at the Law Society of Scotland, have publicly defended Goodwin, preferring to blame the lack of regulation of banks for the failures which led to the public vilification and attacks on Goodwin’s character which Sir Angus Grossart referred to.


“It wasnae him” : Former Law Society of Scotland Chief Douglas Mill defended Sir Fred Goodwin, blamed lack of regulation rather than ‘World’s Worst Banker’ (Click on image to watch video)

There seems to be no depths some people will go to rehabilitate or defend those who have brought our banks, and the country to its knees.


Comparing the broken windows of Sir Fred Goodwin’s mansion to the suffering of German Jews in the holocaust is an insult unrivalled so far in anything I have seen written about Sir Fred Goodwin and the banking crisis.


We should all beware those who would use such unrivalled evil from world history to rehabilitate those whose actions have caused so much calamity in our modern times, actions which spring from greed, and deserve no sympathy.

To view the original of this article CLICK HERE
Should we be surprised at a man like this making such obscene comments, I incline not to think so, minded of who he is - vile behaviour would seem to be something of a family trait.

Let us also consider: Wasn't this odious little man a director of RBS whilst running his own Bank, 'Noble Grossart'? I understand he also has an interest in Murray International and is believed to have been material in arranging a £1Bn. loan at incredibly preferential rates for his chum!

I also seem to recall that Angus Grossart was a senior director of The Skye Bridge scam, also his old chum Sir Ian Noble was one time Chairman of SBT and it was with Noble that Grossart founded his bank. Noble had the usefull advantage of ownership of the foreshore in the appropriate place to charge easment for the transit of vehicles on the said bridge.

We are also advised that there is more than something of a 'mystery' surrounding the present location of various works of art that were assetts of Nat West during the RBS takeover. Having seen a couple of the works of Gay Grossart and photos of others - to whom do they sell at the prices quoted, The RNIB pension fund!

We note she likens her efforts to Scottish Colourists - presumably children learning to coulour by numbers CLICK HERE

~~~~~~######~~~~~~

ZOOM-Info. CLICK HERE

Married: Gay Grossart CLICK HERE

'e'Mail: Gay@GayGrossart.com

telephone: 07710 390 359

Gay & Angus are understood to live largely estranged lives with their own 'intimate friends', lives led from different homes. Sir Angus' tastes being understood to be more eclectic, but it is NOT the remit of this blog to speculate on sexual pecadillos or orientation.

Daughter: Flure born C1984

"I work in one of the world's oldest art dealerships, London's Fine Art Society. I'm also pursuing work in fashion, fuelled by the buzz and energy of London life. I try to stay close to my roots with monthly visits back to Scotland."

NOBLE, Sir Ian Andrew

NOBLE, Sir Ian Andrew

Sir Iain Andrew Noble, 3rd Baronet of Ardkinglas and Eilean Iarmain is a landowner in the Isle of Skye
Born in Berlin but seeks to portray himself as desperately Gaelic.


Director of the infamous Skye Bridge Trust
Ex-Chair Skye Bridge Co;
Ex-Chair Noble Group;
Noble Grossart, etc .

Bought the foreshore at Skye Crossing and had to be compensated handsomely with public money so that the arch could ‘pass over’, which looked incredibly like 'insider dealing! Easments of this ilk are usually not unlawful but can only be seen as 'sharp practice' and morally reprehensible by most civilised folk, only fractionally less reprehensible than lawyers who make a practice of exploiting clients and specialising in the expoitation of widows and orphans or as the more 'cunning' do exploiting the weaker party in divorce cases. Scotland being rife with such behaviour where the Courts treat women, in the main, in a manner which makes Extreme Islam seem like a matriacle belief structure!

A Racist, Sir Iain was born in Berlin in 1935 and educated in Shanghai, Buenos Aires and in England at Eton College and at University College, Oxford. His family came from Argyllshire, he said, but he moved to Skye in 1972 after he bought the estate of Fearann Eilean Iarmain in the south of the island.
To view more from this article CLICK HERE

A noted Scottish Gaelic language activist.


Son of a British diplomat

Educated:
in Argentina, before attending Eton and Oxford University.

From a family of bankers and began his career by establishing a merchant bank in Scotland Noble Grossart with Angus Grossart.

He sold his share in 1972 and used the proceeds to buy the MacDonald Estates in Skye.
He has since developed many business interests on Skye and elsewhere, including:
Hotel Eilean Iarmain
and the whisky company Praban na Linne which produces a vatted malt whisky called Poit Dhubh (literally the "Black Pot" or "Illicit Still". The company also produces two blends, Tè Bheag nan Eilean ("small one of the islands") and MacnaMara (the "Son of the Sea").

Not a native Gaelic speaker Noble became an enthusiastic learner of the language and used his position as landowner to support the language, introducing an employment policy of positive discrimination in favour of Gaelic speakers.

He was directly responsible for the erection of the first Gaelic road signs in Scotland, and the holder of the first ever Gaelic cheque book, issued for him by the Bank of Scotland; both of these were innovatons which have had a very significant impact.

Noble was the original founder of the Gaelic medium college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig which is located in Sleat, Skye. The original "Large Hall" (the Talla Mhòr) was part of the MacDonald estates.

It is believed that Sir Ian now has the incrementally destructive brain disease known as Parkinson's Disease.

CULLEN, William Douglas LORD JUSTICE

Cullen, William Douglas

Cullen, William Douglas 1702 (Law Lord, Lord Justice General), refused any Petition to the Nobile Officium to re-examine Sutherland Opinion which avoided examination of the duff Skye tolling licence. Cf Lockerbie cover-up. Cf. Dunblane cover-up (Corrupted the Inquiry by hiding 26 shelf feet of evidence unlawfully for 100 years). Cf Piper Alpha cover-up. Cf Paddington cover-up. Safe pair of government hands.(seen by many as an utterly corrupt Government fixer!) [LOCK] [SBT] [DUN]

On Monday 11th April 05, as a result of my MSP request for a public inquiry, I received a number of approaches to divulge my knowledge concerning Lord Cullen. May I first again state that I believe him to be an intelligent upstanding man who I feel shares the same fault as Neville Chamberlain who pandered to the Nazi's. Lord Cullen has not ceased to be a Faculty of Advocates man - an institution which in my opinion passed its sell by date some sixty years ago.

I believe that when the true circumstances surrounding Dunblane - and the homosexuality amongst the judiciary 96 finally become public knowledge - Lord Cullen will be blamed for his colleagues' sins. I understand from a recent poll no ex-child of Dunblane wished the discovery embargo to continue.

It has been reported to me that Lord Cullen hates my guts - as with Dunblane - he seeks like a mother hen to protect his brood (e.g. Lady Smith). I am advised that he has openly stated he wishes me booted out of his courts - so much for democracy and impartial justice.

Elsewhere on this website I have spoken about Lockerbie. I am ashamed to state that Lord Cullen is privy to the real happening but chooses to put so called public or political interest ahead of the truth - not a good reflection upon his judicial oath.

Does Lord Cullen judge well? - I think not - he allows his personal persuasions to muddle his thinking - not a good scene for Scotland.


Lord Cullen

Picture of Lord Cullen

Famously, Lord Acton, a nineteenth-century liberal, observed that ‘power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely’. What is generally remembered is the second half of that phrase, especially as the twentieth century had so many cases of the horror of absolute power. But the first half is, if anything, more important. And the point it contains, that the holders of power will, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously, exploit it for their own ends, lies behind the liberal’s suspicion not only of government – even in democracies – but also of big business, trade unions, pressure groups and all others who accumulate power. Man is not perfectible, but neither is government or our judiciary.

A central lesson is ‘that light can shine both ways’ appears to be a hard one for Lord Cullen. In my opinion Lord Cullen has the natural human tendency to cover up mistakes. This I believe will lead to catastrophe both personal and to those he seeks to protect. Secrecy fosters ignorance and ignorance guarantees folly.
Lord Cullen is Scotland’s senior judge. He is a man of firm belief; I believe he thinks he acts in the best interest of Scottish society. I query this belief for the following reasons.

I think Lord Cullen is:

A. Excessively protective of the judiciary, and the legal status quo. I make reference to this in my essays: Lady Smith: The Demise of Homo Sapiens: My overview on the Lord Advocates Vexatious Petition and What is Scotland’s Rule of Law.

B. Unduly influenced by and needs to protect his former clerk Mr Iain Smith. I make reference to this in my essays: Lady Smith: and My overview on the Lord Advocates Vexatious Petition.

C. Misguided in placing a hundred year ban on the release of the Dunblane enquiry documents. I make reference to this in the articles: The Art of Spying, Examples: The Demise of Homo Sapiens and Dunblane

D. Wrong to ignore the evidence available to the Lord Advocate in respect of the Lockerbie verdict. I make reference to this in my essay The Art of Spying,


Examples. Below follow a series of articles which illustrate Lord Cullen’s outreach.

The first article is taken from the Scottish Court web site.

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Cullen of Whitekirk
Lord Cullen was appointed Lord President in November 2001. He was Lord Justice Clerk and President of the Second Division of the Inner House from 1997 to 2001. (1) He was appointed a Judge in 1986 and has been a Privy Counsellor since 1997. He was made a life peer on 24 June 2003

He is a graduate of the Universities of St Andrews (MA) and Edinburgh (LLB) and was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates (2) in 1960. From 1970 to 1973 he was Standing Junior Counsel (3) to HM Customs and Excise. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1973 and served as an Advocate Depute (4) from 1978 to 1981.

Lord Cullen was a Chairman of Medical Appeal Tribunals from 1977 until his appointment as a Judge. From 1988 to 1990 he conducted the Public Inquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster and in 1996 he chaired the Public Inquiry into the shootings at Dunblane Primary School. In October 1999 he was appointed to chair the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry.

He is a former member of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. He has been awarded honorary degrees of LLD from the Universities of Aberdeen and St Andrews, and DUniv from Heriot-Watt University.

______________________
(1) The Inner House acts mainly as a court of appeal in civil matters. It is divided into two divisions, each consisting of four judges. Each division usually sits with three judges.
(2) The Scottish Bar.
(3) Standing Juniors are appointed by the Lord Advocate to advise and represent government departments.
(4) Counsel for the prosecution in criminal cases.


The second article is taken from Burkes Peerage.

CULLEN, THE RT HON LORD CULLEN, (William) Douglas
(William) Douglas CULLEN,
PC 1997; a Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland from 1986 and Ld Justice-Clerk and President of the Second Division of the Court of Session since 1997; educated Dundee High School; St Andrew's U (MA); Edinburgh U (LLB); admitted to Faculty of Advocates 1960; standing junior counsel to HM Customs and Excise 1970-73; QC (Scotland) 1973; Advocate depute 1978-81; chairman: Medical Appeal Tbnl 1977-86; Court of Inquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster 1988-90; Review of Business of the Outer House of the Court of Session 1995; Tbnl of Inquiry into the shootings at Dunblane Primary School 1996; Ladbroke Grove Rail Enquiry 1999-01; cncl, Cockburn Assoc (Edinburgh Civic Tst) 1984-86; memb: Scottish Valuation Advsry Cncl 1980-86; Roy Commn on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland 1987-97; govr, St Margaret's Sch, Edinburgh 1994-; memb, Court of Napier U 1996-; President STERO 2000-; Hon FREng 1995; Hon LLD: Aberdeen 1992; St Andrews 1997; Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow Caledonian 2000; Hon DUniv Heriot Watt 1995; FRSE 1993; Publications: The Faculty Digest Supplement 1951-60, 1965; booklets on buildings in Edinburgh; b18 Nov 1935, son of Sheriff Kenneth Douglas Cullen (d 1956) and Gladys Margaret nee Douglas-Wilson (d 1992); m 1961 Rosamond Mary, dau of William Henry Nassau Downer, OBE, of N Ireland and has issue, 1. Christopher; 2. Adrian; (1) Sophia; and (2) Felicity; Address: The Court of Session, Parliament House, Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RQ; Club: New (Edinburgh).

Record Type(s): Members of the professions and the arts



The third article is taken from BBC News online.

High praise for Lord Hutton
Lord Hutton's handling of the inquiry into the death of Dr David Kelly provided a positive image of a profession often decried, one of the UK's most senior judges has said.

Lord Cullen, who chaired the inquiries into the Dunblane shootings, the Piper Alpha disaster and the Ladbroke Grove rail crash, said the retiring law lord's inquiry "reflected great credit" on the legal world.

"So frequently one hears that judges are elderly and out of touch, but when something important comes along, where some inquiry is necessary, it is to the judges that the executive turns," he said.

Lord Cullen, Scotland's most senior judge, was giving his insights on the experience of heading an inquiry to BBC News Online.

He will not be drawn, though, on whether he thinks those to whom he delivered his reports really listened.
"When I have finished my work and handed in my report and it's published my duties are at an end," he says.
"I have to go back to my normal work. It's rather like the ancient Roman Cincinnatus; when he finished his work as being a person in high authority, he simply went back to the plough."

Cincinnatus, legend has it, had been appointed dictator in order to defend the Romans from the Aequi.
He heard the news of his appointment while working on his farm, took up the challenge and defeated the Aequi, but then gave up his new title after 16 days and returned to his fields.

It is with this example in mind that Lord Cullen has retreated back to what he calls "his normal life" after his roles in the spotlight as chairman of a major inquiry.

Others, of course, have their views on the impact of his work. Mark Wheeler of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Lord Cullen's report on the Piper Alpha disaster was hugely influential. More than 160 people died in an explosion on the oil platform in 1988.

Mr Wheeler said regulations for the offshore industry were overhauled in line with the Cullen recommendations - and the shake-up has been considered a significant success.
top


The fourth article is an uncorrected transcript of oral evidence before the CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE on Tuesday 9 December 2003.

UNCORRECTED TRANSCRIPT OF ORAL EVIDENCE To be published as HC 48-iii

House of COMMONS
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE
TAKEN BEFORE
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
AND A SUPREME COURT (COURT OF FINAL APPEAL)

Tuesday 9 December 2003
RT HON LORD CULLEN OF WHITEKIRK
and RT HON SIR ROBERT CARSWELL
HH JUDGE MICHAEL BRODRICK,
HH JUDGE SHAUN LYONS,
JUDGE JEREMY COCHRANE
and JUDGE MICHAEL WALKER
MR PETER HERBERT,
MR OBA NSUGBE QC
and MR GELAGA KING
Evidence heard in Public Questions 335 - 437

USE OF THE TRANSCRIPT

This is an uncorrected transcript of evidence taken in public and reported to the House. The transcript has been placed on the internet on the authority of the Committee, and copies have been made available by the Vote Office for the use of Members and others.

Any public use of, or reference to, the contents should make clear that neither witnesses nor Members have had the opportunity to correct the record. The transcript is not yet an approved formal record of these proceedings.

Members who receive this for the purpose of correcting questions addressed by them to witnesses are asked to send corrections to the Committee Assistant.

Prospective witnesses may receive this in preparation for any written or oral evidence they may in due course give to the Committee.


Oral Evidence
Taken before the Constitutional Affairs Committee
on Tuesday 9 December 2003
Members present
Mr A J Beith, in the Chair
Peter Bottomley
Ross Cranston
Mrs Ann Cryer
Mr Jim Cunningham
Mr Hilton Dawson
Mr Clive Soley
Keith Vaz
Dr Alan Whitehead


Examination of Witnesses
Witnesses: RT HON LORD CULLEN OF WHITEKIRK, Lord Justice General of Scotland and Lord President of the Court of Session, and RT HON SIR ROBERT CARSWELL, Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, examined.

Chairman: Lord Cullen, Sir Robert, welcome. We are particularly pleased to have the heads of judiciary in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Lord Cullen, of course, we have met before when we were carrying out our inquiry into the judicial appointments in Scotland before the Government announced its plans for England and Wales. Could we just go through our normal procedure of declaring interests around the table?

Ross Cranston: I am a barrister and recorder.

Keith Vaz: I am a non-practising barrister but my wife holds a judicial appointment.

Peter Bottomley: I probably ought to say that my wife is a headhunter.

Chairman: Thank you. What we thought we might do is start by looking at the Supreme Court issue and initially looking at it in general terms before coming on to those aspects which are particular to Scotland and Northern Ireland or, indeed, in a few cases to both of them.

Mr Soley: Could I address my comments to you, Lord Cullen, first because I understand from your evidence that you are not wildly enthusiastic about these changes.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: That is right.

Mr Soley: I formed the impression that you are saying it is basically only because of the image that we are thinking of changing it rather than the reality; the reality is, in your view, largely satisfactory. How does that leave you in relation to Article 6 of the European Convention, and also what is your view about the general problem that we do not change at a pace we say, and that change is sometimes forced upon you?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I am not aware of any challenge, nor do I think it is likely there will be a challenge. There seems to be no question of the law lords being otherwise than completely independent of the executive, and so far as the legislature is concerned, if the well-informed observer knows about the distance that the law lords observe between them and the legislative aspects of the House of Lords, I do not think in those circumstances there is a suspicion of any lack of independence. That is the way I see it, but perhaps they should speak for themselves.

Mr Soley: But you do suggest that the reason for doing it is perception?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: Yes, that is correct. It seems to me on practical grounds to be not a necessary step that it is being advocated, because it is better from the point of view of perception. No doubt if the slate was completely clean and we had a fresh start we would not invent what we have, but we have what we have and it works.

Mr Soley: But if the perception is the cause, if you like, and if the problem is that events are moving and we would not design it if we were starting again, is there not a case for changing at your own pace rather than waiting for change to be pushed upon you?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I do not dispute there is a case - of course there is a case - but there is also a case for not doing it. Perception is important, you are quite right, because independence does not mean simply actual independence but also perception of independence, that is perfectly right, but I do not think on balance the case is made.

Mr Soley: And do you think there are any advantages to the system that is being proposed? If I was to put to you "What are the advantages of doing it?” what would you say? Would you say there are none?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: Apart from the perception point we have just discussed I would say not a great deal. It all depends what kind of Supreme Court we are talking about. We seem to be talking about one which is simply taking over lock, stock and barrel the existing functions of the Appellate Committee and perhaps also the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, so what is happening is to happen somewhere else in a different atmosphere and I do not quite see how that takes you any further. There may be opportunities possibly for making pronouncements which would be of use to the whole of the United Kingdom, but one has to remember that the existing civil jurisdiction as far as Scotland is concerned is that the Appellate Committee functions as a Scottish court with a wall, as it were, between it and its functioning as an English court.

Chairman: We are going to come to that in a bit more detail in a moment.

Mr Soley: Thank you for flagging that up. Sir Robert, I am not quite clear where you stand on this. Are you broadly in favour or against?


Sir Robert Carswell: I cannot speak for my colleagues because it is not a topic we discussed as it was not part of the consultation paper, and I suspect that their views might be divided. My own view I think tends towards that of Lord Cullen; it is a matter of perception. There is no doubt, I think, that the quality of the work of the Lords has been highly regarded for many, many years and their independence and integrity is certainly unchallenged. It is a question of perception and the possibility of a challenge under Article 6, though frankly I think it would be a brave person who would undertake it!

Mr Soley: So you are both confident that there would not be any challenge to that at all, but again it goes back to perception, does it not, because we do get as politicians questions from particularly the emerging Eastern European countries about why we have a rather muddled approach at times, on separation of powers. I know that is really the Lord Chancellor, but there is an element of overlap, is there not?

Sir Robert Carswell: Well, the whole of our constitution is a little that way. I am inclined to Lord Cullen's view that if it is functioning satisfactorily you might make more trouble from changing it just because of perception. If it were not functioning satisfactorily I would have no hesitation in supporting a change to have a court that was put on the right basis, but I have some difficulty in seeing that the case for changing just because of that is made out. I might be less positive than Lord Cullen and certainly less positive than Lord Nicholls has reported in council, but I would hesitate myself, if I may put it that way.

Mr Soley: Do you think people in the street would have a perception of your function now, or would it be better if it was a Supreme Court, given that that term is perhaps better understood by people?

Sir Robert Carswell: In the taverns of Tipperary the talk does be of little else!

Mr Soley: I would have to say not in Acton! Nevertheless there is a perception of justice and of judicial structure, and "Supreme Court" has a precise meaning in people's minds, even if it is not so precise in actual terms. They tend to understand that.

Sir Robert Carswell: That I think is as far as the benefit is likely to go - tidiness and people's idea of their understanding. Advantages in practical terms are likely to be minimal and there may be problems not appreciated such as Lord Cullen has dealt with in his response.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: You say everybody knows what a Supreme Court is but if you look at yesterday's article by Lord Rees-Mogg in The Times he immediately starts thinking about the American model. If you say "Supreme Court" to a man in the street he may say, "Oh, yes, just like America". Now, that is not what is proposed, as I understand it, so it is not as simple as all that.

Mr Soley: Finally, you have played a distinguished role in a number of public inquiries. Do you think members of the Supreme Court could do that job, or do you think that would have to revert to someone else?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: It depends whether they were allowed to do so by the President of the Supreme Court. It has become a regular practice for judges at various levels to be asked to do these inquiries. I do not see any reason in principle why not, no. None at all.

Mr Soley: Although it must be said in the 19th century Parliament was very good at doing its own inquiries.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: It was only because of difficulties over that very thing that inquiries by judges and others began to become more common. I think it was the Marconi episode in the 1920s which gave rise to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act. Because of the difficulties then it was necessary to take the matter out of the political hotbed which tended to surround parliamentary inquiries at that time.

Peter Bottomley: Many of us were astounded that the Government could come up with proposals to reorganise our court of final appeals without consulting the outgoing Lord Chancellor, the incoming Lord Chancellor, the present members of the Judicial Committee of the Lords, and I think we would do better to discuss this in terms of a court of final appeal and leave the title to be chosen afterwards for exactly the Rees-Mogg reasons.Clive Soley was talking about perceptions. What would be the minimal changes that might meet the perception point?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I am not sure what you mean by "minimal changes".

Peter Bottomley: Largely that the Lord Chancellor should not be able to sit as a law lord. The minimal change is the Lord Chancellor saying "I will not sit as a law lord" rather than throwing the whole system in the air. People argue that having the law lords meeting in the House of Lords is somehow the executive interfering, forgetting of course that Parliament is not the executive and that any arrangements are likely to be more expensive. Could they be cheaper than the present arrangements?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I cannot say because I do not sit as a Lord of Appeal but my impression is that it would be cheaper to leave things as they are than to create something freestanding outside, and there also is the advantage at the moment, as I understand it, that the Appellate Committee is funded through the House of Lords whereas if it is to be exported to some other place it would then be funded by the Department of Constitutional Affairs, hence you get a closer association or greater association with the executive which did not previously exist. Now that itself raises a problem of independence.

Peter Bottomley: And without commenting on the personal qualities or merits of the present serving Lord Chancellor, would either of you take the view that you would prefer to have the judiciary so to speak led by a middle-ranking minister who might want preferment, or would you prefer the present system we have had of having someone who is so grand that they do not expect to go on to another job after being Lord Chancellor?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I will leave Sir Robert to deal with that question because the Lord Chancellor has no sway in Scotland.

Sir Robert Carswell: That is known in rugby terms as a hospital pass! I certainly have had experience of working with three Lord Chancellors --

Chairman: Who all happen to be Scots?

Sir Robert Carswell: Yes, and it was wholly favourable. I found that they did support the judiciary extremely well and that they had the standing - I leave out the present one because he is in a slightly different position but Lords Irvine and Mackay had the standing - to be able to put their case, if there was a case to be made, very effectively. To have a person in the position of the Lord Chancellor with the independence and the standing rather than, as Mr Bottomley said, a politician who may be looking for other posts in due course - I could see that the latter would give less support and independence to the judicial point of view because judicial independence is so crucial, not because it is terribly important that they be left alone to do their own thing but because independence is a necessary condition of impartiality.

Ross Cranston: I want to come back to this public inquiries point because there is a purist view, which I do not share, that judges should not conduct public inquiries and I guess the difference with a parliamentary inquiry is we might do policy but judges can do factual inquiries that we cannot do, but I think the argument is first a practical argument - that judges simply do not have time if they are on the Supreme Court - but also there is a constitutional argument and I think it is the view taken, say, by the Victorians in the common law world and possibly shared that it is just wrong for judges to become involved outside judicial functions. As I say, I do not share that but it is an argument that if you take this purist Article 6 view of the world - which I think is totally wrong but if you take that view - it might well be said it is wrong for judges to participate in public inquiries.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: It is certainly the case that in some other countries it would be unthinkable for a judge to take a public inquiry but there never seems to be a problem here. What has happened over the decades is governments have used judicial independence and judicial talent in order to cope with matters that could not be resolved in some other way.

Ross Cranston: I think the argument might sometimes be that politicians are trying to avoid issues or kick them into the long grass or whatever, and are exploiting the judiciary.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: It is an out-tray way of dealing with matters but it is important also to bear in mind that you do not have inquiries unless there is some cause for public concern, and thus it is that judges who are otherwise liable to be treated as elderly and out of date suddenly become popular for this sort of purpose.

Mr Soley: Young and in date!

Chairman: Turning, Lord Cullen, to the Scottish aspects of this, are the Government's proposals compatible with the Act of Union, Article 19 and the claim of right and, if not, what would have to be done to them to make them compatible?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I venture this matter in my response really in order to make the point that this aspect ought to be considered by the Government. Before the Act of Union there is the Claim of Right, which was a Scottish provision at the time when the monarchy was returning to Scotland in 1689 and there was then a declaration by the Scottish Parliament as to the right of subjects to protest for remede of law to the King and Parliament and that is the ancestor, so far as Scotland is concerned, of the hearing of civil appeals from the Court of Session to the House of Lords. The Act of Union was silent on the question of appeal from the Court of Session or, indeed, the High Court of Justiciary, but it was later, much later, interpreted in such a way as to indicate that the Court of Session and its decisions should be subject to review whereas the High Court, the criminal court, would sit its decisions to be regarded as final and conclusive, so what you have, firstly, is an interpretation of the Act of Union. The second point is that, until now, it has been recognised that there are some situations, not easy to define, where certain elements in our constitution may be unalterable - that is a possible view. It arises from time to time, most recently in the case involving Lord Gray's Motion where certain members of the Committee for Privileges reserved their view on that matter. So however strange it may seem there is an argument that Parliament might not be able to alter or undo certain elements of a constitutional nature. That is a sketch of the argument: whether it is good or not I do not propose to advance, but simply say it is there to be considered.

Chairman: Are you proposing any way in which the Government's proposals might be modified to avoid collision with that argument?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I am inclined to think that it may very well be that so far as civil appeals are concerned there is not a problem, but it is simply something that ought to be looked at. Therefore my answer to that is probably that no alteration is, in fact, required.

Chairman: Do you agree that legislative competence so far as any changes to leave to appeal and things of that kind are concerned does not lie with Westminster under the devolution settlement but with the Scottish Parliament?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: That is quite a difficult matter. If you look at the Scotland Act you will find that what is reserved is the continued existence of the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary. The way that the Scotland Act is constructed certain matters are specifically reserved: the rest is not, and therefore it appears on the face of it that matters other than the continued existence of these courts is a matter for the Scottish Parliament. Nobody is entirely clear as to that being the case but that seems to be the position, in which case there seems to be a role here for the Scottish Parliament. Now I would hope that the matter was not, so to speak, nodded through in Scotland but given serious consideration, but that is the position, as I understand it.

Chairman: Lord Hope expressed the view that the Scottish Parliament would need time to deal with this matter before it proceeded at Westminster?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I would agree with that and the consultation paper, whereas it makes clear what the executive's attitude is and we have seen the executive's response since then, so far as I know as yet there has not been a considered discussion in the Scottish Parliament.

Chairman: There is a phrase which I think you may have challenged already which the Government use in respect of constitutional issues where they say that the establishment of the new court "accordingly gives us the opportunity to restore a single apex to the United Kingdom's judicial system where all the constitutional issues can be considered". That is in the consultation paper. Is it your view that, leaving aside the devolution issues, there ever was or should be a single apex which combines the judicial systems of England and Scotland?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I do not think that is correct. The position until now is that the Appellate Committee functions sometimes as an English court and sometimes as a Scottish court, and I say that because what is binding in England is not binding in Scotland. You have two completely separate jurisdictions so that whatever decision the House of Lords reaches in regard to a civil matter it does not bind in Scotland, and vice versa, so you really have two apices rather than one apex and, if the position is that that is to be taken over by the Supreme Court, it will have those two high points, whereas the paper tends to talk as if this is the opportunity for the United Kingdom court. Well, I say that is obscuring the point: that you have two separate jurisdictions each with its own head happening to be administered under one device, namely the Appellate Committee. That is what we have: it is a result of the separate growth of two legal systems, and it is preserved, of course, by the Act of Union.

Chairman: Do you think that the Scotsman who holds the position of Lord Chancellor in England that is driving this reform has now perhaps become more familiar with this point?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I certainly have had the opportunity of making it to him and I have also pointed out that there is nothing in the consultation paper that would prevent this Supreme Court in an English case determining what Scots law was or vice versa, and I think for the protection of Scots law that needs to be in any legislation for a Supreme Court, as well as more general provisions safeguarding the separate existence and entity of Scots law.

Ross Cranston: Just quickly, if one started with a blank sheet one could look, say, at jurisdictions like Canada, where the Supreme Court operates and still preserves a quite distinct judicial system in Quebec, quite different in terms of the civil law background and in terms of the substance of the law. Starting with a blank sheet, therefore, do you think you would take a different view?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I think it would not be impossible for a Supreme Court here to preserve that clear distinction, and if one was setting up something now and had not got the benefit of decades and hundreds of years' operation of the House of Lords and the Appellate Committee, yes, it could be done but all I am saying is that the safeguards are not spelled out and I think the safeguards are essential. The present consultation paper seems never to come to terms with any of that, which is rather worrying.

Dr Whitehead: Could we perhaps move to who would like to be on the new Supreme Court? Do you have any views about the convention of the numbers of judges from Scotland who might be appointed to the Supreme Court? Do you believe that the convention should simply continue, or do you believe there should be rather more places available?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: The proposition is that the number of twelve should be carried over from the Appellate Committee. One of the points that we did consider was whether and to what extent the new Supreme Court should rely on ad hoc members brought in from the various jurisdictions, and we tended to the view that it should, so far as possible, operate within its permanent establishment. Now, that cannot be done without increasing the establishment and that brings in its train the question of whether it should remain as two members from Scotland or whether it should be three. It is really an incidental effect of that. If one compares that with the present arrangement under which the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council can call on Scotsmen ad hoc to sit in, it is a very flexible arrangement and quite a beneficial arrangement from the point of view of making sure that you have adequate Scottish representation when required. These are broadly my views. Now, I appreciate that to increase the number of Scots may not necessarily be wholly popular and it also creates difficulties in Scotland because at the moment to have two distinguished Scottish judges serving in England and for the most part looking at English cases is in a sense bad enough, but to take three away is a greater drain so there are pluses and minuses here. It is a difficult matter and it may be at the end of the day one of the arguments for leaving matters as they are.

Dr Whitehead: Do you think there is an additional impetus given to perhaps the argument that there might be three Scottish members because of the transferring, or possible transferring, of devolved matters to the Supreme Court?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: If the devolution issues are to be taken by the Supreme Court that, of course, underlines the need for adequate Scottish representation on the bench and desirably, if you are sitting in a panel of five, there should be at least three Scotsmen there. That can be done, of course, by bringing in ad hoc representatives from Scotland, and we have a clear example of what is possible at the moment where Privy Councillors can be drafted in to the Judicial Committee when required, and there could be various ways that would reproduce that by saying that members of the Inner House, who are ten in number, could be drawn upon when required. But the point I simply make is about the way in which the Supreme Court is to operate - that our tendency was to favour the view that it should, so far as possible, operate on its permanent membership.

Dr Whitehead: Sir Robert, the convention is currently that there is one law lord from Northern Ireland. Do you think, bearing in mind the perhaps fluctuating basis of Northern Ireland cases that might come before the Supreme Court, there is a case for an ad hoc arrangement as far as Northern Ireland members are concerned?

Sir Robert Carswell: My colleagues welcomed the suggestion by the Judges Council of England and Wales that there should be one member regularly. I would just qualify that in one way because it is conceivable that there may be times when we could not spare somebody of the quality required. We are a small jurisdiction; you need to have a Lord Chief Justice who can cope with the quality of work, and if you have a law lord as well then there are two people. Most times that is quite possible. There may be times where, for example, the person likely to be appointed would be the serving Lord Chief Justice and there would not be somebody ready to come through, and there might have to be a gap of two or three years until that righted itself. If it were left in such a way that it did not become a matter of jurisdiction, then I think we could certainly staff a place in the House of Lords and, as I say, our judiciary would work on that. There was an expedient at one time when the late Lord Lowrie was Lord Chief Justice; for the last eight or nine years of his tenure of office he was a peer, he retained the office of Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland but sat from time to time in the Lords and, I understand, made quite a useful contribution, and then he became a permanent law lord later. So that is one possible way of dealing with it if there are shortages of manpower.

Dr Whitehead: Lord Cullen, you mentioned the issue of, as it were, Scottish judges almost permanently being away from home. Maybe the Supreme Court should sit in devolved territories from time to time in order to allow them perhaps to get home for breakfast?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: That sounds a very attractive proposition but whether it is attractive financially is another matter. One perhaps could find a building in which they could sit but there may be staff questions to do with library and other resources. I do not wish to offer a view on this point because I think it is quite tricky. It sounds in principle a very good idea and it does bring justice, as it were, back to the territory from which the case comes, but there may be practical problems about it and I quite appreciate that.

Dr Whitehead: Do you think a Supreme Court should have full corporate independence in terms of managing its own money, pay, rations and affairs entirely independently?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: That is the view we have expressed knowing that it is proposed that the Department of Constitutional Affairs should be responsible for funding it. It would be desirable, it would be preferable, if there were some means by which it would have direct control over its own budget.

Dr Whitehead: Sir Robert?

Sir Robert Carswell: I would support that view. I think that if we go on to a model of a Supreme Court it ought to have an independent budget under its own control like the High Court of Australia or the Federal Courts of the United States, and I have discussed with Federal judges in the United States the way that they go and deal with their budget each year with Congress. It is quite a difficult and important process but it gives them an independence which I think is a desirable thing. It gives somebody a lot of extra work and, speaking for myself, I would not particularly enjoy having to do it at home but there would be advantages. I think on balance it is better than having their money rationed out to them by the DCA.

Chairman: We have reported, as Lord Cullen remembered because he kindly gave informal evidence to us, on the Scottish appointments system and the initial experience of it. The Northern Ireland system is in statute form but not yet up and running but we have one or two questions about judicial appointments which I will ask Mr Bottomley to pursue.

Peter Bottomley: Firstly, more generally rather than just in the particular areas you have experience of, is it your experience that an individual often makes, or can make, braver appointments than a committee?

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I find it very difficult to answer that question not having sat on a Committee dealing with these matters. It could be, but then I know that it can be argued that it should not be left to some individual exercising power without being answerable for it and without giving explanations, if necessary.
Sir Robert Carswell: We are going to have to manage a Judicial Appointments Commission within somewhere about twelve to eighteen months, when it is likely to be started. Time will tell just how it operates. I think the temper of the times is such that that will come all over. I was interested to see the suggestion of a small appointing commission for a Supreme Court. I have expressed a view very strongly to Government that appellate judges should not be appointed by a general appointing commission. A general appointing commission has not got the knowledge of their work, and could not have. The only people who really have knowledge of a judge's work and ability to carry out appellate work are his peers. They know that you cannot hide it from them and their views expressed to a small appointing committee which should be composed of people who understand the work and the qualities required should provide, I think, the best basis for getting the right people in post.

Peter Bottomley: There is a recommending commission in Scotland and one coming in Northern Ireland. How much discretion do you think ministers should have?

Sir Robert Carswell: May I come in first there because ours is set in a way which is likely to be quite interesting. The Judicial Appointments Commission puts forward a name to the First and Deputy First Minister. The ministers can turf that back. No doubt they would do so with explanations. If the Commission then said, "I am sorry but we are not prepared to change our view" and puts the same name back again, then the ministers are obliged to accept that under our legislation. We have not worked it yet and we do not know how it will work, but that is the model adopted for Northern Ireland.

Peter Bottomley: Brave!

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: What happens in Scotland, as I understand it, is the board produces if it is for the High Court probably more than one name arranged in a certain order. Certainly we have not had any problems with ministerial interference and I would be very surprised if there was, because what is the point of having a board like this if you do not accept its recommendations? I am consulted, of course, in the process and I would indicate if I had any serious reservations, but I would not seek to second-guess the board if they took a certain view that somebody was preferable over somebody else unless there was something quite fundamental which I felt had not been taken into account, and I would hope that ministers would behave in exactly the same way.
Peter Bottomley: So, in effect, you are saying you and ministers and others should be able to tolerate different orders of preference but you ought to be able to say, "Somebody is not suitable for this job", or that somebody is so dramatically more suitable it would be wrong.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I find it very difficult to envisage situations in which ministers would turn down recommendation. Very difficult.

Peter Bottomley: Does it matter that the Lord Chief Justice will chair the Commission in Northern Ireland and there is a lay chair in Scotland?

Sir Robert Carswell: I would prefer to see a judicial chairman of any of these appointing bodies but we have not worked it yet and I do not know how it will go in practice. Lord Cullen will know from experience how it has worked in Scotland. I would not attempt to say whether it is better or worse.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I did not design what we have. I am not saying that I am dissatisfied with it but it works and I have no cause whatsoever to be unhappy about the fact that we have very large lay representation and a lay Chairman. That is as matters work out, and a lot has to do with the high calibre of the persons involved.

Chairman: We did not find amongst the witnesses who gave evidence to us any great concern such as had been expressed beforehand. Indeed, if anything, the concerns seem to have been allayed.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: I must say at a distance I was concerned at the amount of lay involvement but as matters have turned out, and it may be as I say due to the calibre of those involved and their integrity, there is not a difficulty, and they seem to work extremely well with the legal side which is part of the whole.

Ross Cranston: I wanted to get Lord Cullen's view on appointments to the appellate courts like the Inner House. Sir Robert said he would not want that to be done by Committee, I think, because it is only the judges who can appreciate the qualities of persons who should be appointed to the appeal body. At one time the purist view was that judges should never expect promotion because that would somehow influence their decisions, but given that we now work a system whereby judges are promoted into appellate bodies, I wanted to get your view on how appointments to that should be made.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: In Scotland I and the Lord Justice's Clerk recommend to ministers those who should be promoted from the Outer House to the Inner House and in doing so, of course, we supply thumbnail sketches of the individuals and our considered view as to who is the best and why. That, again, works: we have not had any difficulty with ministers in that respect: and I would see that as something of the model, the ideal, for promotions to the Supreme Court because these are promoted posts from senior members of the judiciary. There will be relatively few of these promotions that occur from time to time, and I think those who are in the best position to advise are their fellows, and the senior members of the judiciary. So I agree entirely.

Ross Cranston: Of course the Bar might have people as well with an informed view.

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk: Yes, but does it really matter?

Sir Robert Carswell: I hope it would not dare affirm that of the judges'!

Chairman: Lord Cullen, Sir Robert, I think we can release you from the unfamiliar position of the people being asked the questions, and thank you very warmly for all the help you have given us. We think that our next witnesses are not yet here, but we do have the Judges' Council witnesses present and we hope they might be able to come to the table at this point.
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The fifth article is taken from the Scotsman 10th March 04.

Lord Cullen attacks plans for Supreme Court
SCOTLAND’S most senior judge, Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, has told MSPs he sees no need for a Supreme Court to replace the House of Lords as the final court of appeal.

Lord Cullen, the Lord Justice General and Lord President of the Court of Session, said ministers had caused "resentment" over how they announced plans to remove the Law Lords from the upper house to a new court.

He suggested at the Justice 2 Committee’s inquiry into the Constitutional Reform Bill that the Government had decided the policy with little public debate. The Law Lords currently act as the final court on points of law for all UK jurisdictions in civil cases and for England, Wales and Northern Ireland in criminal cases.

Lord Cullen, who warned in the second reading debate in the Lords that the legislation as drafted could threaten the independence of Scots law, repeated his calls for those concerns to be addressed if the proposals go ahead.

The Government was defeated after the debate as peers voted to delay sending the Bill to the Commons by diverting it first to a special Lords select committee for extra scrutiny, amid claims the reforms are being unnecessarily rushed.

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, who is pushing the reforms which include the scrapping of the office of Lord Chancellor, says they will clearly separate the powers of law-makers from judges. The plans are backed by the Executive, including Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC, who says the separation of powers is "a cardinal feature of a modern, liberal, democratic state".
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The sixth article is taken from BBC News online.

Friday, 29 September, 2000, 12:31 GMT 13:31 UK
Scottish judge heads train crash inquiry



Lord Cullen at Ladroke Grove enquiry31 people were killed at Ladbroke Grove, just outside Paddington
If the UK Government was looking for a judge of pedigree to head the inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove train tragedy, without doubt the first name on its list was Lord Cullen.

The Scottish judge has played central roles in major investigations into two major disasters within the last decade.

Tragedies on Lord Cullen's own Scottish "patch" have seen him being thrust into the limelight.



Remains of Piper Alpha oil platformOn 6 July 1988, the North Sea Piper Alpha oil platform caught fire and exploded, killing 167 of the 228 on board.

Lord Cullen was given the unenviable task of answering the tough questions of how and why the disaster happened. It took the top lawyer almost two years to complete his investigation and the conclusions led to the biggest tranche of safety reforms in the North Sea oil industry.

The Cullen Report, submitted in December 1990, resulted in most oil operating companies examining and altering their safety systems.


'Great compliment'
Aberdeen lawyer David Burnside, who represented families at the Piper Alpha inquiry, described Lord Cullen as "a first-class judge". "It is a great compliment to the legal system that Lord Cullen, with his vast experience in such matters, should be asked to do this."

Lord Cullen's professional mettle was tested once again when he was appointed to head the public inquiry into the Dunblane tragedy. On 13 March 1996, 16 children and their teacher were shot dead by Thomas Hamilton at the primary school in the small Scottish town.

Lord Cullen's recommendations led to fundamental changes over the ownership of handguns.

He has also played a central role in the complex legal arguments surrounding the impending case of two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing.

Appointed judge
The graduate of the universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh was appointed a judge in 1986 and a Privy Counsellor in 1997. Two years ago, William Douglas Cullen was made Lord Justice Clerk.

Between 1970 and 1973 he was Standing Junior Counsel to HM Customs and Excise and he was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1973 and served as an Advocate Depute from 1978 to 1981.

Lord Cullen was a Chairman of Medical Appeal Tribunals from 1977 until his appointment as a judge.

He is a former member of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

And he has been awarded honorary degrees from the Universities of Aberdeen, St Andrews and Heriot-Watt.
Lord Cullen's report on the Ladbroke Grove rail crash pulled no punches and was highly critical of Railtrack in particular for "institutional paralysis" and a "lamentable failure" to learn from earlier safety failures.

He made 88 recommendations in his 270-page report, and said he was confident that his proposals would be acted upon.

But asked if an accident like Ladbroke Grove could happen again, he added:” I do not think that anybody in my position can offer assurances that it was impossible for an accident to happen."

Largely attributable to CLICK HERE with thanks to Martin FROST