Drink drive shame of top Scottish aristocrat who veered across the road whilst double the legal limit

A Conservative peer swerved over verges and pavements and was pursued by concerned witnesses as he drove home drunk from his friend's home.

Alexander Scrymgeour, the 12th Earl of Dundee, admitted downing 'a few glasses of wine' before trying to drive home while he was more than double the legal alcohol limit.

He was driving excessively slowly and veering in and out of the oncoming lane. He was causing so much concern he was followed for several minutes.

Scrymgeour, who is Chief of the Clan Scrymgeour, appeared in the dock at Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday [FRI] and admitted drink driving in his Toyota Hilux truck on 12 May this year.

The 75-year-old sitting member of the House of Lords, from Birkhill House, Balmerino, admitted driving in St Michaels, Fife, when his alcohol reading was 50 mics. The legal limit is 22 mics.

Fiscal depute Carrie-Ann MacKenzie told the court: 'He has no previous convictions. At 12.35 am witness Doig was driving behind the accused when he noticed the accused's vehicle being driven over both lanes, mounting pavements and grass verges, and going much slower than the speed limit.

'His concern was such that he made contact with the police and continued to follow the accused until police traced him,'

'Police arrived at 12.50am and stopped the accused within his vehicle. He was found to be slurring his words, a smell of alcohol was noted and he admitted having had a few glasses of wine.

'He confirmed he had been driving. He provided a specimen for a roadside breath test which was positive and he was conveyed to Dundee police station.'

She said Scrymgeour's lower reading was 50 mics and he was cautioned and charged, before being released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.

Solicitor John Boyle, defending, said: 'He is 75 and has no previous convictions. This was a misjudgement on his part. He had been at a friend's house.

'Some alcohol was taken and he thought he would be fit to drive. He realises the error of his ways and apologises to the court. He is a farmer in the local area.

'Given his employment in a rural area, there will be some difficulty relying on public transport.

'Disqualification will be pretty significant for him. In terms of a financial penalty he will be in a position to meet that within 28 days.'

Sheriff Alistair Carmichael fined Scrymgeour £200 and banned him from the road for 12 months, reduced from 15 months to take account of his early plea of guilty.

It will be reduced by a further three months if the peer completes a drink drive rehabilitation course.

Scrymgeour was educated at Ludgrove School and Eton College, before attending the University of St Andrews, and was a Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II.

His first active experience as a Conservative politician was as the party's candidate in the Hamilton by-election in 1978.

He has sat in the House of Lords since his father's death in 1983, and served as a the Conservative Party whip in the House of Lords from 1986 to 1989.

He served as Government Spokesperson for Education (1986-1988), Government Spokesperson for Scottish Affairs (1986-1989), and Government Spokesperson for Home Affairs and for Energy (1987-1989).

In 1999, he was made an elected hereditary peer and took the title Earl of Dundee.

He has served as the UK delegate to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe from 1992 to 1997.

He was also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Western European parliament from 1992 to 1999.

The Earl is honorary consul for Croatia in Edinburgh, and is involved with a Trust which distributes humanitarian aid to some of the poorest parts of the Balkans.

Lord Dundee's Farming Company manages around 2,000 acres across Fife and Angus. He has spoken in the House of Lords on farming and health issues.

Lord Dundee is also the Hereditary Royal Standard Bearer of Scotland, Constable of Dundee, and Chief of the Name and Arms of Scrymgeour.

He was one of the peers who carried the Royal Standards at the 2023 Coronation of King Charles.

His father, the 11th Earl of Dundee, spent a period as Deputy Leader of the House of Lords.