Mike was born and brought up in Peebles, and educated at Kingsland and Peebles High School, before taking a Commerce degree at Edinburgh University. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1972, he moved back to Peebles to join the family company of retail gent's outfitters, which he continues to run today with his brother, John.

Mike's involvement in the local community has been varied and wide-ranging. Amongst other things, he is a past member and Chairman of Peebles and District Round Table, a current member and past President of The Rotary Club of Peebles, and a member of the local Scottish Borders Enterprise Advisory group. He is a Callant and a member of the Guildry Corporation of Peebles, a Genenl Commissioner of Inland Revenue, and this year, is Chairman of the PHS 100 Committee - organising an extensive prognmme of celebrations for a century of education at Peebles High School. Earlier this year, Mike was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Tweeddale.

Mike's leisure pursuits revolve around the outdoors - cycling, running, gardening, skiing, but his favourite activity is camping and hillwalking. In the last ten years. he and his wife, Sandra, have climbed all Scotand's Munros (mountains over 3000 feet), completing the grand total of 284 as recently as last Saturday - September 4th -on Ben More, Mull!!

Mike is married to Sandra who accompanies him today and they have two children Allan and Sarah. All the family have been involved in the Beltane Festival - mother and daughter as Beltane Queens (mother 1962, daughter 1988), Father, First Courtier 1960 and son Second Courtier 1986.