The sudden death of Jim Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness has been announced.

Born in Annan, Dumfriesshire, on 24 August 1954, James Robert Wallace,  was educated at Annan Academy. He graduated  Downing College, Cambridge, with a joint BA degree in economics and law. At the University of Edinburgh, he graduated with an LLB degree in 1977.

He served as Liberal MP for the Orkney and Shetland Constituency vacated by Jo Grimond for 18 Years. At the reforming of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 he was elected MSP for the Orkney Constituency and continued as MP and MSP.

He was Deputy Leader of the Lib/Dem Coalition Government of Scotland and its Minister of Justice. He was also the acting Leader (a position now called First Minister) in 2000, and 2001.

He was  created a life peer on 17 October 2007 taking the title Baron Wallace of Tankerness, of Tankerness in Orkney.

Jim Wallace died from complications of surgery in Edinburgh, on 29 January 2026, at the age of 71.

Convener of Orkney Islands Council Graham Bevan said:

“It is extremely sad to learn of the passing of Lord Wallace. His passing is a great loss for his family, friends, to the whole Orkney community, to the country, and beyond.

“We were so honoured to have Lord Wallace with us at last month’s 50th anniversary of the Council event at St Magnus Cathedral speaking with immense pride about representing our islands at both Westminster and Holyrood. He was of course Scotland’s first Deputy First Minister and in 2007 was made a peer, choosing the title of Lord Wallace of Tankerness.

“Our thoughts are with Rosie and his family at this extremely difficult time.”

Baron Wallace was an Elder of the Church of Scotland at St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, he was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for 2021–2022.

Jim Wallace was married to Rosemary (née Fraser) a speech therapist in 1983. The couple had two daughters.