Gilbert Timothy George Lariston Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 7th Earl of Minto, Baron Minto of Burncrooks (; born 1 December 1953), styled Viscount Melgund between 1975 and 2005, is a British hereditary peer, businessman, and Conservative member of the House of Lords. He was previously the chief executive of British stationery company Paperchase. He is a descendant of King Henry VII of England.
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Early life and family
He is the son of the late Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 6th Earl of Minto and his first wife, Lady Caroline Child Villiers. Lord Minto resides in Minto in Roxburghshire.
He succeeded his father in the earldom on 7 September 2005. His father's estate has been the subject of a dispute between Lord Minto and his father's third wife.
He was an officer in the Scots Guards from 1972 to 1976.
On 30 July 1983, he married Diana Barbara Trafford, daughter of Brian and Audrey (née Taylor) Trafford. They have two sons and one daughter; a second son is deceased.
House of Lords
Lord Minto became a member of the House of Lords in October 2022, having finished second in a by-election to replace both the Viscount Ullswater and the Baron Colwyn.
On 27 March 2023, Lord Minto was appointed Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade and served in that role until 14 November 2023 when he was appointed Minister of State for Defence. He was appointed Shadow Minister for Defence under Rishi Sunak, and was reappointed by Kemi Badenoch.
In May 2026, it was announced that he was to be given one of 26 new life peerages, returning him to the House of Lords after the coming into force of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026.
Children
Gilbert Francis Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Viscount Melgund (b. 1984)
The Hon. Lorne David Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (b. & d. 1986)
The Hon. Michael Timothy Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (b. 1987)
Lady Clare Patricia Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (b. 1991)
