Background
Robertson was the youngest of six children, born in Edinburgh when his father was already 66.
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Ian MacDonald
Edit ProfileEducation
He was educated at Merchiston Castle School between 1926 and 1931 and had an outstanding school career, being appointed a Senior Prefect in his final year. He then attended Balliol College, Oxford, following in the footsteps of his older brother Sir James Robertson. Returning to Scotland he graduated Bachelor of Laws at Edinburgh University in 1937 and served his apprenticeship as a Writer to the Signet with Shepherd and Wedderburn, but soon found his preferred field as an advocate.
Career
He was also a notable sportsman, captaining the 1st XV rugby union side, and playing for the 1st XI cricket team He regarded his life as having been transformed by meeting Anna Glen, daughter of Judge James Fulton Glen, of Tampa, Florida, United States, at her 21st birthday party at the Gleneagles Hotel. When World World War II broke out Robertson joined the 8th Battalion The Royal Scots, serving first as a weapons instructor.
He was later commissioned and as captain and intelligence officer for the 44th Lowland Brigade (15th Scottish Division), he distinguished himself in Normandy and Northwest Europe and the campaign from Doctorate-Day to the end of the war, being mentioned in dispatches.
He wrote an account of the action, "From Normandy to the Baltic", printed in Germany before he returned to Britain. His career as an advocate was soon established.
He took silk in 1954, later serving as Sheriff Principal of Ayr and Bute (1961–1966) and then of Perth and Angus (1966). In 1966 he was appointed to the High Court bench.
Notable cases
Robertson presided over the 1974 case of Jessie McTavish, a Glasgow nurse accused of the murder of one of her patients and the assault of four others
In summing up he neglected to mention her denial of a police claim that she had admitted to mercy killing during an interview. McTavish was convicted but Robertson"s omission was used as the basis for an appeal the following year and McTavish"s sentence was overturned. Robertson was also chairman of the Scottish Joint Council for Teachers’ Salaries (1965–1981).
An assessor on Edinburgh University Court (1967–1981).
Chairman of the Edinburgh Centre for Rural Economy (1967–1985). Chairman of the Centre of Tropical Veterinary Medicine.
And chairman of the Scottish Valuation Advisory Council (1977–1986). He was on the board of governors of Merchiston Castle School 1954-2005 and was chairman 1970-1996.
He played golf into his eighties, particularly at Muirfield where he was captain from 1970 to 1972.
He died on 21 July 2005 at age 92.
Membership
The first Scottish judge to be a member of the International Union of Judges, he served for 13 years (1974–1987).
Personality
He was sensitive to any interference by the Executive in the work of the Courts.".
Connections
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Born
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Died
July 21, 2005 (aged 92) -
Nationality
United Kingdom