- Born in Dundee.
- Educated at Harris Academy, Dundee, Inverness Royal Academy, Aberdeen University and Christ’s College, Aberdeen.
- 1988 – 2000 – Assistant Minister, Castle hill Church, Ayr, inducted as Minister of Skene Parish Church in 1972 and continued there until retirement in 2011.
- Clerk, Presbytery of Gordon.
- 1993 – date– Clerk and Treasurer, Synod of Grampian Trusts Committee.
- Is married to Christine with three grown up children, outside interests are sport in general but particularly golf and football.
- 2013 – At a meeting of the Convener Court on 26th March, The Patron, Alan Main, opened the meeting with prayer. Deacon Convener Parkinson noted the retirement of the Very Rev. Alan Main as the 27th Patron of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen and spoke to the service he had given to the Trades. Patron Main spoke in reply, he was then warmly thanked and discharged from office.
- Deacon Convener Parkinson then proposed the Rev Iain Urquart Thomson to be appointed as the 28th Patron of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, he spoke to the Rev Thomson’s background and experience,. The motion was seconded by Master of Trades Hospital McKinnon. The motion was unanimously and warmly approved by the members of the Court. . The Deacon Convener then installed Patron Rev Iain Thomson by assisting him with his gown and pinning his insignia of office thereon. The Patron then addressed the Court.