[1] Born in Glasgow, Scanlan intended to study medicine, but was sent to Sandhurst and served with the Highland Light Infantry.

After military service, he earned a law degree from the University of Glasgow before deciding to enter the priesthood.

Posted to the Highland Light Infantry, he saw service in East Africa and Egypt.

Scanlan studied at St Edmund's College, Ware and was ordained a priest for the Westminster Archdiocese on 29 June 1929.

[1] On 19 July 1969, the archbishop ceremonially cut the first turf for construction of the new St. Margaret of Scotland Hospice in Clydebank.