Background
Agnew is the only son of Sir Fulque Agnew and his wife Swanzie Erskine, latterly Professor of Geography at the University of Malawi. He succeeded his father in 1975.
Agnew is the only son of Sir Fulque Agnew and his wife Swanzie Erskine, latterly Professor of Geography at the University of Malawi. He succeeded his father in 1975.
He was educated at Uppingham School and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, before being commissioned into the Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1964.
He is the chief of the ancient Agnew family, and the eleventh holder of the Agnew baronetcy, created in 1629. He served in Germany, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. He took part in or led a number of expeditions, including expeditions to Api Himal in 1980, Everest in 1976, Nuptse Himal in 1975, Northern Patagonian Ice Field in 1973, Elephant Island in 1970, and Greenland in 1968 and 1966. He retired as a major in 1981.
He is ranked by Chambers United Kingdom 2015 as a "Star Individual" in Agriculture and Rural Affairs and "Band 1" in Planning and Environment.
He specialises in rural property, planning & environmental, and public law. He is the author of legal textbooks on agriculture, crofting, land obligations and liquor licensing.
He serves as a part-time judge of the Upper Tribunal and was part-time legal chairman of the Pension Appeal Tribunal until 2012. His heraldic career began in 1978 when he was appointed Slains Pursuivant by Merlin, Earl of Eroll.
In 1981, he was appointed Unicorn Pursuivant at the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh.
In 1986, he was promoted to Rothesay Herald, a position he currently holds. Mark Agnew is the Younger of Lochnaw, and the heir to the chiefship and baronetcy.
As an active climber and mountaineer and member of the Alpine Club he was involved with the army"s policy of developing adventurous training for soldiers of all ranks. Agnew is a Queen"s Counsel in practice at the Scottish Bar and is a member of Westwater Advocates.