 In 1907 he co-founded the legal firm of Baillie Gifford WS which in 1909 formed and then acted as manager of The Scottish Mortgage and Trust Company Limited.He was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel on 1 April 1908, but again resigned his commission in 1910.In September 1914 following the outbreak of World War I he was appointed Commanding Officer of 2nd Lovat Scouts.