[1] Church of Scotland.
Wife: Judith Mary MacGregor (m. 1962, three children)
High School: Prince of Wales School, Nairobi
High School: George Watson's College, Edinburgh
University: University of Edinburgh
Administrator: Rector, University of Edinburgh (1982-85)
Member of Scottish Parliament for Lothians (1999-, Presiding Officer 1999-2003)
UK Member of Parliament for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (1983-97)
UK Member of Parliament for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (1965-83)
Liberal Party (UK) Leader (1976-88)
Liberal Democrats (UK) 1988 (with Robert Maclennan)
Knight of the British Empire 1990
Life Peerage 1997 as Baron Steel of Aikwood