Death announced of Lord Mackay of Drumadoon

The death has been announced of Lord Mackay of Drumadoon, former Solicitor General for Scotland, Lord Advocate and Senator of the College of Justice, at the age of 72.

Donald Sage Mackay was brought up and schooled in Edinburgh, and studied at the University of Edinburgh (LLB) and UYniversity of Virginia (LLM). He qualified and then practised as a solicitor for five years before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1976. He took silk in 1987 and also served as a temporary sheriff before being appointed Solicitor General for Scotland under the Conservative Government in 1995. Later that year he took office as Lord Advocate, serving until 1997, and was created a life peer.

Lord Mackay was appointed a Senator of the College of Justice in 2000, and elevated to the Inner House in 2010. He retired from the bench in 2013, and from membership of the House of Lords in 2017.

Dean of Faculty Gordon Jackson QC said: “Lord Mackay was a big character who gave years of service to the law as counsel, law officer and judge. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends.”

Alison Atack, President of the Law Society of Scotland, described Lord Mackay as "a wise judge, a perceptive and tenacious lawyer and a dedicated public servant in the administration of our justice system". She added: "In recent years he worked closely with us in developing and delivering solicitor advocate training, bringing his valuable experience, knowledge and expertise to ensure high standards of practice for our members who wished to attain rights of audience in the High Court of Justiciary or Court of Session.

"He will be much missed and we offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends."