In the 1980s, David Nicolson, 4th Baron Carnock petitioned the Lord Lyon King of Arms to be recognised as the chief of Clan Nicolson, in virtue of his ancestor—John Nicolson of that Ilk, 1st Baronet of Lasswade (d. 1651).
The youngest son of Matthew James John Maitland Pryde, of Gorebridge, Midlothian, he was educated at Lasswade Secondary School and at the Scottish Labour College.