 After serving as MP for Lancaster from 1941, Maclean was made a baronet in 1957 making his wife Lady Maclean.Maclean then served as MP for Bute and North Ayrshire from 1959 until the February 1974 general election.Lady Maclean (a Roman Catholic) had two children from her first marriage to Alan Phipps, Susan Rose "Sukie" Phipps (born 1941) and Jeremy Julian Phipps (born 1942), who were brought up in their mother's faith.