Born in Paisley and educated at Paisley Grammar School, he studied at the University of Glasgow, obtaining the degrees of LLB and PhD, and held the Faulds Fellowship in Law at Glasgow University. Admitted to Faculty in 1967, he served as standing junior counsel to the Department of Energy from 1974 to 1976, and as an advocate depute from 1976 to 1979.

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1981, the year in which he also took up office as a chairman of Industrial Tribunals.

In 1982 he was appointed sheriff of South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, first at Lanark but moving in 1988 to Ayr.

In 1991, he became a temporary judge of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary and was appointed a permanent senator of the College of Justice in 2000. He retired in 2008.

A spokesperson for the Judicial Office for Scotland said: “We are saddened to learn of the death of Lord McEwan and our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this time.

“His lordship had a long and distinguished legal career, calling to the bar in 1967 before receiving the rank and dignity of QC in 1981.

“A well-respected advocate, he went on to serve as a sheriff for several years before being appointed as a Senator of the College of Justice until his retirement in 2008.

“He will be sadly missed by those who knew him personally and professionally.”