James Erskine, Earl of Mar and Kellie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Mar and Kellie
DL
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| Member of the House of Lords | |
| as a hereditary peer 23 December 1993 – 11 November 1999 |
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| Preceded by | The 13th Earl of Mar and 15th Earl of Kellie |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| as a life peer 19 April 2000 – 30 June 2017 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 March 1949 |
| Political party | Liberal Democrat |
James Thorne Erskine, 14th Earl of Mar and 16th Earl of Kellie, born on March 10, 1949, is a Scottish nobleman. He was a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. He belonged to the Liberal Democrat political party.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Erskine went to Eton College, a famous school in England. When he was young, in 1962 and 1963, he served as a Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II. This was a special role helping the Queen at official events.
After Eton, he studied at Moray House School of Education in Edinburgh. He then started a career helping people in social work. He worked for different local councils in Scotland.
Other Jobs and Service
Besides social work, James Erskine had other interesting jobs. He worked as a boat builder. He also served in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service. These were volunteer forces that supported the main military.
His Time in Parliament
James Erskine became the Earl of Mar and Kellie in 1993. This meant he inherited a noble title. In 1994, he took his seat in the House of Lords. This is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. He sat with the Liberal Democrat members.
Changes to the House of Lords
In 1999, a new law called the House of Lords Act 1999 was passed. This law changed how people became members of the House of Lords. Most members who had inherited their titles, like James Erskine, lost their seats.
However, James Erskine was able to return to the House of Lords. On April 19, 2000, he was given a new title. He became a life peer called Baron Erskine of Alloa Tower. A life peer is someone given a title for their lifetime, but their children do not inherit it. This new title allowed him to go back to the House of Lords.
Political Involvement
In 1999, he also ran for election in Scotland. He was the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Ochil area in the Scottish Parliament election. However, he was not elected that time. He officially retired from the House of Lords on June 30, 2017.
Titles and Family
James Erskine holds several important titles. He is the 16th Viscount Fentoun. This makes him the most senior Viscount in the Peerage of Scotland. A Viscount is a noble rank below an Earl.
He is also the Chief of Clan Erskine. This means he is the leader of the Erskine family clan in Scotland. Since 1991, he has also been a Deputy Lieutenant for Clackmannanshire. This is a local role representing the King or Queen.
The Future of His Titles
James Erskine does not have any children. This means his titles will pass to his younger brother. His brother, Hon. Alexander David Erskine, is next in line to inherit the titles.
