Finlay Carson was first elected as MSP for Galloway & West Dumfries in May 2016 and subsequently re-elected in May 2021
Previously he was a councillor for the Castle Douglas and Glenkens ward for Dumfries and Galloway Council
He was the Scottish Conservative spokesperson for Digital Economy, Animal Welfare and Biodiversity and sat on the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee of the Scottish Parliament from 2016 to 2021 in the role of Deputy Convener for part of the term.
He has served as Convener of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee since 2021.
Finlay attended Twynholm Primary School and later Kirkcudbright Academy, then went to study at the University of Aberdeen where he graduated with a BSc Agriculture.
Before entering politics he farmed with his father and brother and ran an IT business specialising in community broadband. He has a keen interest in sport and gardening. He lives with wife Jackie and has 4 children.