Before becoming bishop he was rector of Tannadice in Angus, vicar of Linlithgow, and was rector of Newlands in the diocese of Glasgow when he was appointed to the see in 1474. In 1476 he founded the Franciscan Monastery or 'Greyfriars' of Glasgow in conjunction with Thomas Forsyth, Rector of Glasgow.
The passage describes the career path of this individual prior to his appointment as bishop. He held various positions in the church, including those of rector and vicar, before being appointed to the see in 1474. In 1476, he founded a Franciscan monastery with Thomas Forsyth.