Born in Glasgow in June 1926 Lord Cowie attended Fettes College in Edinburgh before attending Cambridge and Glasgow Universities.

Initially taking up rowing at Cambridge, he turned to rugby, playing for Kelvinside-West and Edinburgh Wanderers. He was capped once for Scotland, playing against England in the Five Nations match at Twickenham in March 1953.

Lord Cowie joined the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh in 1952, becoming an Advocate Depute in the Crown Office, Scotland where he remained until 1967. He became Queen’s Counsel that same year. In 1969 he reprised his role as Advocate Depute, staying there until 1977, when he became a Senator of the College of Justice.

Lord Cowie remained as Senator until 1994, taking up a role as judge of the Supreme Court of Botswana from 1995 to 1998.

Lord Cowie is predeceased by his wife, the late Camilla and survived by his children Isabel, Caroline, John and William.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at Newington Trinity Church (Mayfield Building, 18 West Mayfield, Edinburgh EH9 1TQ), on Friday 13 November at 3 pm; all friends and family are welcome.