Born on the Isle of Bute, after leaving school I started training as a civil engineer with the temporary works department at Ardyne, where concrete oil platforms were being built. When these works finished I wanted to remain living on the island so changed my career and trained as a TV engineer. I eventually moved abroad, living in Holland for three years before returning to Bute. As a hobby I have always enjoyed working with wood and loved the art nouveau and art deco style and started making small items of furniture. I also made portable therapy couches and started studying holistic therapies at James Watt college, following that up with a course in furniture design, again at James Watt College.

I now live in Paisley, and for the last 20 years I have been working as a picture framer in Glasgow and spend my free time in my workshop at home, listening to music while making unique Oak Arts & Crafts style mantle clocks and mirrors.