25 Aug 1954 - 29 Jan 2026 (71 years)

James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, KC, FRSE was a Scottish politician who served as a Liberal Democrat life peer in the British House of Lords from 2007 until his death in 2026. He had previously served as the Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 1999 to 2005, and during that time was twice acting First Minister, in 2000, in the aftermath of Donald Dewar's death, and in 2001, following Henry McLeish's resignation.

Wallace was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 1992 to 2005 and Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords from 2013 to 2016.

Wallace served as a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament (MP) for Orkney and Shetland from 1983 to 2001 and a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Orkney from 1999 to 2007. He was Advocate General for Scotland from 2010 to 2015. He was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1 May 2021 to 23 May 2022 and for the duration of this appointment, he gave up his political affiliation.

In 1983, Wallace married Rosemary (née Fraser), a speech therapist whom he called "Rosie". The couple had two daughters, Helen and Grace, and grandchildren.

He was an elder of the Church of Scotland. He was first ordained in what was St Bernard's Church in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, in 1981. By 1990, he was inducted to the eldership at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney, where he became a member of the church. He was active in contributing to public worship. Wallace was also a Vice President of the National Churches Trust. He was a keen singer, being a member of the choirs at both St Magnus Cathedral and Dunblane Cathedral.

In 2023 he survived aortic dissection, needing to undergo major surgery.

He had undergone a procedure at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, but Wallace died from complications from that surgery on 29 January 2026, at the age of 71. He was survived by his wife, Rosie; his daughters, Helen and Claire - along with their families, his brother, Neil, and his mother, Grace, who still lives in Annan.

His funeral was held on the morning of 10 February 2026 at St Magnus Cathedral, and was conducted by Rev Dr Marjory MacLean, who had served as one of his chaplains during his year as Moderator. In place of the current moderator, former Moderator, Iain Torrance, was in attendance. Numerous politicians attended his funeral, including First Minister John Swinney, as well and the UK and Scottish Liberal Democrat leaders, Ed Davey and Alex Cole-Hamilton. During the funeral, Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, and MP Alasdair Carmichael gave eulogies. Lord Wallace's brother Neil also addressed mourners in the cathedral. Following the funeral, he was interred at a private service at St Andrew's Cemetery in Tankerness.