Constituency : Ross and Cromarty 1911-35 ( from 1931 Liberal National )
Ian took over at Ross and Cromarty following the death of James Weir.
Ian was educated at the University and became a barrister.
Ian introduced a Scottish Home Rule Bill in 1914.
Ian supported Lloyd George in 1916 and became Under Secretary of State for War in 1916. He was promoted to Deputy Secretary in 1918 and in 1919 took over from Edward Shortt was Chief Secretary for Ireland. As a Scottish Presbyterian, Ian was contemptuous of Sinn Fein and took a hard line against them in Ireland. He declared the Dail illegal and became dissatisfied with Lloyd George's lack of support for his hardline policy. At the beginning of 1920 his car was attacked in Dublin .In April, he resigned his post after introducing the Government of Ireland Bill and became Minister of Pensions.
Lloyd George suspected Ian of leaking the full details of a fusion meeting to the press in 1920.
Ian saw off a Highland Land League candidate in 1918 and an Asquithian Liberal in 1922. He was unopposed in 1923 and 1924. Labour started contesting the constituency in 1929. In 1931 he was unopposed as a Liberal National. He saw off Labour in those colours in 1935
Ian was created a baronet in 1933.
Shortly after his re-election in 1935 Ian was elevated to the peerage as Baron Strathcarron. A National Labour candidate was elected at the by-election.
He died in 1937 aged 57.
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