James Wilson McKay
Sir James Wilson McKay (12 March 1912[1] – 25 May 1992) was a Scottish businessman who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh between 1969–72. A Freemason, he was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland from 1979–83.
Life
McKay was born in 1912 in Bo'ness, the son of John McKay, an insurance superintendent,[2] and Alice Easton Wilson McKay.[1] He was educated at Dunfermline High School in Dunfermline, Fife.[2]
McKay was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1971 Birthday Honours and knighted by Elizabeth II on 16 November 1971 at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II.[3][4] He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 1971.[5]
From 1979 to 1983 he was Grand Master Mason of Scotland, the head of Scottish freemasonry.[6]
He died in Edinburgh on 25 May 1992. He was cremated and his ashes are buried against the south wall of Cramond Parish Church in north-west Edinburgh.
Artistic Recognition
He was portrayed in office by David Abercrombie Donaldson.[7]
Family
He was married to Janette (1917-2006), later Lady McKay.[8]
References
- "1912 MCKAY, JAMES WILSON (Statutory registers Births 663/1 83)". ScotlandsPeople. National Records of Scotland. October 1975.
- Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage. Kelly's Directories. 1973. p. 2288. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- "No. 45384". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1971. p. 5958.
- "No. 45527". The London Gazette. 23 November 1971. p. 12761.
- "Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh: Honorary Graduates". hw.ac.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- http://staffs.proboards.com/thread/6977
- https://en.wahooart.com/@/DavidAbercrombieDonaldson
- Grave of J W McKay, Cramond churchyard
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Herbert Brechin |
Lord Provost of Edinburgh 1969–1972 |
Succeeded by Jack Kane |
| Masonic offices | ||
| Preceded by Robert Wolrige Gordon |
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland 1979–1983 |
Succeeded by J. M. Marcus Humphrey |