Charles Erskine
(Lord Tinwald)

1680 - 1763

Jurist and politician. The third son of Sir Charles Erskine of Alva and grandson of Sir James Dundas of Arniston (1620-79), Erskine was educated at the University of St Andrews. He served as a Regent of the University of Edinburgh (1700-07) aged only twenty and despite some controversy was appointed the first Professor of Public Law at that institution in 1707, supported by his cousin John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar (1675 - 1732). He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1711.

Erskine was elected as Member of Parliament for Dumfriesshire (1722-34), for the Dumfries Burghs (1734), for the Tain Burghs in 1741. He acquired the estate of Tinwald and employed William Adam (1689 - 1748) to build a country house there, but this estate was later sold when Erskine bought the family estate at Alva when his elder brother had financial problems.

He served as Solicitor General (1725-37), Lord Advocate (1737-42) and was appointed to the bench as Lord Tinwald in 1744. He also served as Lord Justice Clerk from 1748 until his death.

Erskine died in Edinburgh.

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