Born Forres, Morayshire 1939. Graduated from Aberdeen University 1961 and McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario 1966. Has spent most of his life in school teaching, lecturing, English as a Foreign Language and subsequently educational management.
Married 1967. Son John born in Tampere, Finland, in 1968, suffering severe brain damage during birth. Lived in Finland for 5 years in total. Marriage dissolved in 1977, with John left in his care. Remarried 1985. Son James born 1986 and daughter Anna 1988. Now self-employed consultant living in the East Neuk of Fife.