The Baron Selkirk of Douglas, PC, who died 28 November, 2023, aged 81, was the Conservative MP for Edinburgh West for 23 years, a Scottish Office minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and finally a front-bench spokesman in the Scottish Parliament. He was the 11th Earl of Selkirk in the Peerage of Scotland, but disclaimed his hereditary peerage for life.
Lord James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton was born 31 July, 1942, the second son of the 14th Duke of Hamilton and 11th Duke of Brandon, KT, GCVO, PC (1903-1973), and his wife the former Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy, OBE (1916-2008), daughter of the 8th Duke of Northumberland, KG, CBE, MVO (1880-1930).
He succeeded to the earldom of Selkirk on the death of his uncle, the 10th Earl, 24 Nov, 1994, but disclaimed his peerage for life, 28 Nov 1994, and successfully proved his claim, 14 March, 1996. He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1996.
Lord James was MP (Conservative) for Edinburgh West 1974-97; Assistant Government Whip 1977; a Lord of the Treasury 1979-81; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister 1983-86 and to Secretary of State for Scotland 1986-87; Parliamentary Under-Secretary Home Affairs and Environment 1987-92 and Scottish Office (Education and Housing) 1992-95; Minister of State, Home Office and Scottish Office (Health) 1995-97; Privy Councillor 1996; as he was a sitting Member of Parliament when his uncle died, he disclaimed the Earldom of Selkirk on 28 Nov 1994 so as to continue to serve his constituents. However, his first cousin, Alasdair Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, 1st son of the late W/Cdr Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton OBE DFC MP, next younger brother of the 10th Earl of Selkirk, also claimed the Earldom, and it was not until 14 Mar 1996 that the Lyon Court, following the precedent set in the case of the 7th Earl of Selkirk, decided that Lord James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton was entitled to the dignity of Earl of Selkirk. On 29 Sep 1997 Lord James was created Baron Selkirk of Douglas, of Cramond in the City of Edinburgh (Life Peerage).
He married 24 August, 1974, the Hon (Priscilla) Susan Buchan, 1st daughter of the 2nd Baron Tweedsmuir, CBE, TD (1911-1996), and his wife the Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie (life peer) (she died 11 March, 1978); by whom he had issue, four sons, (1) (John) Andrew (born 1978), (2) the Hon Charles Douglas (born 1979), (3) the Hon James Robert (born 1981), and (4) the Hon Harry Alexander (born 1991). The Earldom of Selkirk now devolves upon his eldest son, John Andrew, styled Lord Daer and Shortcleuch (who was born 8 Feb, 1978).
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