I was born in Edinburgh on the 21st July 1961. After leaving school at sixteen I went into the sheet-metal working industry. My father Charles bought me my first kilt at the age of nineteen and this helped inspire me on my trek through Scottish history. I soon started making sgian dubhs and sporrans as a hobby and registered with the Edinburgh Assay Office as a silversmith. My artistic accuracy for historic detail soon enabled me to open a shop in Edinburgh specialising in 17th and 18th century weapons and Highland dress of the period. Historical re-enactors and collectors were soon queuing to buy my dirks, targes, sporrans, swords and other accoutrements. In 1999 I loaned the National Trust for Scotland three 18th century dirks for display at the Culloden Visitor Centre. I also take part in re-enactment events throughout Scotland with the Circle of Gentlemen and Frasers Dragoons. I was also recently in the new film about the Highland charge on Culloden Moor by the National Trust for Scotland.

I decided on a career change in 2003 and went to University as a full time student. My academic achievements are LLB (Bachelor of Laws) and an MSc in (Business Management) from Napier University. Both degrees facilitated my inquisitive mind further by helping me to undertake the research and write a book on Scottish history, soon to be published.

Since graduating from university I have unfortunately discovered that the Age Discriminatioin laws have effectively no impact on society. This though has given me the time and motivation to restart a business.

My other interests are the restoration of classic motorbikes, fine wines and karate having taught adults and children for over twenty years.