Educated at Eton College, Maitland saw active service in the First World War.

He was a Major in the 3rd Reserve Battalion of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in 1915–1916, and in 1918 was Aide-de-Camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

He was also a member of the Royal Company of Archers, the King's Bodyguard for Scotland, and a Deputy Lieutenant for Berwickshire.

So deferential was society in those days that the judge ordered the jury to find him not guilty, even though Wilson was jailed for nine months for engaging in homosexual sex, which at the time was illegal.

[citation needed] Lord Lauderdale married Ethel Mary Ivy (died 1971 or 1972), eldest daughter of James Jardine Bell-Irving of Makerstoun, Roxburghshire, on 11 November 1912.