Major General Sir Alastair Bruce of Crionaich,OBE, VR, DL, has just stepped down as Governor of Edinburgh Castle, but he has already applied for a new post.
This time the former British Army reservist has his sights set on academia. Sir Alastair is one of the 38 people who have now successfully submitted a statement of interest to become Chancellor of University of Oxford, as the post is vacated by Lord Patten. The first round of voting will take place during Week 3 of Michaelmas Term during the week commencing 28 October.
He is not the only Scot, but he has a diverse CV behind him to back up his written statement published on the university website.
As well as a distinguished Army career beginning in the Scots Guards, during which he saw active service in the Falklands, he has an ongoing job at Sky where he commentates on Royal occasions. He also commentated for Sky on the 25th anniversary of The Scottish Parliament, was a historical adviser to the TV series Downton Abbey, and has written many books.
He took a principal role at the Coronation last year as well as during Her Late Majesty The Queen’s funeral. It was Sir Alastair who interviewed Her Majesty one to one in 2018 about her Coronation in 1953 for the BBC programme, The Coronation. Queen Elizabeth explained to him then why she could not look down while wearing the Imperial State Crown – and talked about the coach which travelled at walking pace around London.
Bruce is a member of the Royal Company of Archers and was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as a herald in 1998 – the Fitzalan Pursuivant.
While he was Governor of Edinburgh Castle the Major General treated his social media audience to many photos of the inside of the Governor’s House, and the fabulous views from Castle Rock over Edinburgh. He married his husband Stephen Knott at St John’s on Lothian Road in 2021 in full military uniform after a quiet, and discreet relationship of two decades. He then became the highest ranking officer in the British Army to marry in a same-sex ceremony. It was only in 2000 that the Army changed policy on homosexuality.
In his bid to become Chancellor he said: “Through 45 years serving in the Armed Forces in war and peace, while contiguously working in broadcasting, filmmaking, as trustee of many educational and charitable organisations, I have built an experience and perspective from which to offer a consistent, wise, gentle and effective source of support. I am already a critical friend and source of strategic advice to many in positions of senior leadership.
“After living through the military ban on homosexuality for half of my 45 years of service, I am proud to have become the first openly gay General in the British Army. This personal achievement and experience, along with a proactive period serving as the Army’s Advocate for Race, has driven my understanding of Diversity and Inclusion. I have much to learn from many other communities, but I hope that each sees in me a transparent will to understand and develop mutual awareness, engagement and support in the multi-faceted world in which we live. I would proactively shoulder any work to represent and support the University in its commitment to fairness and equal chances for anyone and everyone. ”
Bruce’s final act as Governor was to fire the One O’Clock Gun which he did with his usual verve and style as you can see here.
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