Morrison attended Pangbourne College where he was Chief Cadet (i.e. head boy) and Captain of the English Schools Rugby Football Union (15 group).

He continued his education at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth where he was awarded the Queen's Telescope and Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts.

He spent twelve years in the Royal Navy, as an engineer officer, leaving in 1973 with the rank of Lieutenant.

[citation needed] The Scout Association appointed Morrison as its area commissioner for East Lothian in 1973 and was then appointed as its chief commissioner for Scotland in 1981.

During his tenure, girls were admitted to the Scout Association's programs and its rules and uniforms were relaxed.