Remuneration and related undertaking:
Since becoming an MSP on 6 May 2016 up until 10 October 2018, I was a practising, self-employed Advocate and member of the Faculty of Advocates (Parliament House, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF). During this time period, I spent 8 days in total working as an Advocate and earnt £20,660, although a significant proportion of those earnings was in relation to other work undertaken before being elected on 5 May 2016 but paid after that date. As of 10 October 2018, I altered my status to that of “non-practising”, meaning I am unable to accept instructions and will accordingly undertake no further work as an Advocate during my time as a MSP. [Amended interest 6 February 2017, amended interest 6 April 2018, amended interest 30 October 2018]
I am a non-executive director of Murray Income Trust, a PLC (of 7th Floor, 40 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2BY) listed on the London Stock Exchange, which is an investment company within the meaning of section 833 of the Companies Act 2006. I attend 5 board meetings per year, lasting half a day each, and receive remuneration of between £25,001 and £30,000 per annum. [Amended interest 31 July 2017]
I am a non-executive director of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust a PLC (of Calton Square, 1 Greenside Row, Edinburgh EH1 3AN) listed on the London Stock Exchange, which is an investment company within the meaning of section 833 of the Companies Act 2006. I attend 5 board meetings per year, lasting half a day each, and receive remuneration of between £25,001 and £30,000 per annum. [Amended interest 6 February 2017, Amended interest 11 December 2018]
I was a non-executive director of Slitco Ltd, a private limited investment company (of Lovat Estates Office, Station Road, Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7DA). I attended one meeting per year (lasting half a day) until my resignation on 1 June 2016. For the month of May 2016 I was paid £575.38. Following my resignation as a director I will not receive any further remuneration.
Gifts:
No registrable interests.
Overseas visits:
No registrable interests.
Controlled transactions:
No registrable interests.
Heritable property:
I own Achnacarry Estate, a landholding in the Highland local authority area which supports a commercial, forestry and agricultural business, with income from: residential property lets; agricultural and crofting lets (including agricultural subsidy); holiday lets (including income from boating/ fishing/ caravans/ camping); fish-farming rental; renewable energy (hydro-electric/ biomass heating); telecoms sites; deerstalking/ shooting; and utility wayleaves. The approximate value of the estate is between £6,500,001 and £6,600,000. The property yields a gross annual income in the range £450,001 – £460,000. After costs and losses are taken into account, the net income from the business (for the year April 2016 to April 2017) was £0. Although this business trades in my name, I do not receive any taxable income from it. [Amended interest 6 February 2017, amended interest 6 April 2018]
Interest in shares:
I own 9.45 per cent of Green Highland Renewables (Achnacarry) Limited, a company which was created to invest in the development, construction and maintenance of three hydro-electric schemes on Achnacarry Estate (see under Heritable Property above). These are ordinary shares which have a market value of £700,000.
Voluntary:
I am a trustee of Lochaber Rural Education Trust.