Andrew Swanson Bruce Laird was born in Orkney. He moved to Edinburgh when he was one with his parents. He attended Leith Junior School on Leith Links, where he was Junior Dux. At 15, he joined the Inland Revenue, as Asst Collector (and went on a biking holiday to Holland.) During the war he was in the Royal Signals, Cyphers and Communications (MI8), at SHAFE, which is how he obtained his MIEE qualification. He married Jean Neil, whom he met in London. After the war he became Managing Director of the family business, Bruce-Laird Ltd, while doing a BL at Edinburgh University and starting a family, all at the same time. He also qualified as Chartered Secretary (now ISCA). He became President of the Edinburgh Rotary Club and was later awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. He was an avid photographer and early adopter of home cinema. In retirement, as through his life, he travelled extensively and studied ancient history, as well as becoming a Chevalier Member of the Order of St Lazarus Scotland. He died in Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and his ashes are interred on Burray.

Andrew Swanson Bruce Laird was born in Orkney. He moved to Edinburgh when he was one with his parents. He attended Leith Junior School on Leith Links, where he was Junior Dux. At 15, he joined the Inland Revenue, as Asst Collector (and went on a biking holiday to Holland.) During the war he was in the Royal Signals, Cyphers and Communications (MI8), at SHAFE, which is how he obtained his MIEE qualification. He married Jean Neil, whom he met in London. After the war he became Managing Director of the family business, Bruce-Laird Ltd, while doing a BL at Edinburgh University and starting a family, all at the same time. He also qualified as Chartered Secretary (now ISCA). He became President of the Edinburgh Rotary Club and was later awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. He was an avid photographer and early adopter of home cinema. In retirement, as through his life, he travelled extensively and studied ancient history, as well as becoming a Chevalier Member of the Order of St Lazarus Scotland. He died in Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and his ashes are interred on Burray.