He served in the Black Watch during the Second World War, gaining the rank of Major, and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during the Allied invasion of Sicily.

In 1950 he inherited the title after his older brother, John Gilbert Ramsay, the 15th Earl, died without marrying.

He refused to renew his commission with the Colonial Service after being forced to read the controversial 1963 speech from the throne prepared by Sir Roy Welensky who was highly critical of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's policies to gradually end White rule in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Ironically, he disliked politics and never made his maiden speech in the House of Lords, only taking his place in 1978.

[3] He was a Lieutenant of the Royal Company of Archers, the monarch's bodyguard in Scotland and was created a Knight of the Order of the Thistle by Queen Elizabeth II in 1971.