Alex Fergusson Biography
About Alex
Alex farmed in South Ayrshire from 1971 until his election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. A former Community Councillor, Alex was born at Leswalt, in Wigtownshire and now lives near St John's Town of Dalry in Kirkcudbrightshire.
Married to Merryn and with 3 sons, Iain, Dougal and Christopher, Alex spent 2 years in New Zealand after leaving school, and returned to complete an ONDA in Agriculture at SAC Auchincruive before taking over the family farm in 1971.
Alex is a member and former President of the Blackface Sheepbreeders Association, and a member of the Scottish Landowners Federation and the Game Conservancy. Alex numbers rugby, curling, Scottish country dancing, folk music and public speaking amongst his hobbies.
Alex is the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Galloway & Upper Nithsdale. He has been principal Conservative Spokesman on Rural Affairs and Convenor of the Rural Development Committee.
At the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2007, Alex was returned with an increased majority (3,333) and was subsequently elected to the prestigious position of Presiding Officer for the Scottish Parliament. To enable him to perform his duties in an completely impartial manner (and in keeping with tradition) Alex resigned from the Conservative party but remains committed to representing his constituents in Galloway and Upper Nithsdale.