Studied Agriculture at Edinburgh after a making in staring a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Physics.
Ran the family farm for 25 years, the main enterprise being dairy, but also cereals, sheep and beef.
Left farming after losing my cattle to foot and mouth in 2001, to work for Scottish Government Environmental and Rural affairs, in Dumfries and then the Hamilton office.
After 5 years I moved on to work for SAC consulting in their Dumfries office working as consultant, covering all sectors and government work, but specifically dairy, Whole Farm Reviews and SRDP.
On voluntary basis I have been involved for a number of years in education.
Having experience as a farmer, government official, and consultant I have seen it from all perspectives.