He graduated in Scots Law LLB (Hons) from the University of Aberdeen in 1996, and then trained as a chartered accountant.
In the 2003 Scottish Parliament election Brownlee stood as the Conservative candidate in Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale constituency, finishing fourth but within 1,500 votes of winning the seat.
[2] Brownlee was appointed the Conservative's finance spokesman in Holyrood in July 2005, replacing Annabel Goldie who became the party's leader in Scotland.
Brownlee stood at the 2007 Holyrood elections, contesting the Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale constituency, coming third – pushing the Labour candidate into fourth place.
[4] Brownlee was placed at the top of the Conservatives' South Scotland list after a ballot of party members.