Alasdair was formerly a solicitor, retiring in 2026 after 49 years, with long experience of advising people on personal, family, financial and commercial issues. He is now a regulatory consultant in financial services and Scottish charities regulation.

He is a pro bono legal adviser to a number of smaller community charities.

As a double graduate of Strathclyde University, he holds a degree in Law since 1975 and a Masters degree in environmental studies awarded in 1994.