Education and a career in law
Cowie was born in Glasgow in June 1926 and educated at Fettes College in Edinburgh, followed by Cambridge and Glasgow universities. Wikipedia identifies his Cambridge college as Clare and notes that World War II interrupted his studies.
His legal career included two periods as an Advocate Depute in Scotland's Crown Office. After joining Edinburgh's Faculty of Advocates in 1952, he served in that role until 1967, the year he became Queen's Counsel. He returned as an Advocate Depute in 1969.
In 1977, Cowie was appointed a Senator of the College of Justice, ending his second period in the Crown Office. He held that judicial post until 1994, then served on the Supreme Court of Botswana from 1995 to 1998.
A Scotland cap and a return to Murrayfield
At Cambridge, Cowie's first sport was rowing; he later switched to rugby. His clubs included Kelvinside-West and Edinburgh Wanderers. According to Wikipedia, he also captained Kelvinside-West in Glasgow after the war.
He was among the few players of his era to appear for both Glasgow District and Edinburgh District in inter-city matches, according to Scottish Rugby and Wikipedia. In the 1952 fixture, he scored a try for Edinburgh.
His sole Scotland appearance came in the Five Nations against England at Twickenham on March 21, 1953. Scottish Rugby records him as cap number 649 and says he played in the back row at No. 8.
Exactly 72 years later, on March 21, 2025, Cowie joined former Scotland men's and women's players and international referees for Murrayfield Stadium's centenary celebration, Scottish Rugby said.
In Scottish Rugby's obituary, SRU President Keith Wallace remembered the "sparkle in Lorn's eye" during the event. Wallace said Cowie's exchanges with players, relatives and referees spanning the decades showed his joy in rugby, and described meeting him and his family as a privilege.
Family and thanksgiving service
Cowie's wife, Camilla, died before him. His surviving children are Isabel, Caroline, John and William.
Family and friends are welcome at a service of thanksgiving scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday, November 13, at Newington Trinity Church's Mayfield Building, 18 West Mayfield, Edinburgh EH9 1TQ.
