After attending the Omer school for musical children in Scotland Alan attended the Royal College Of Music to study composition with Jeremy Dale Roberts and piano with Ian Lake. He then continued his studies at the Royal Scottish Academy Of Music And Drama studying composition with Gordon McPherson.
His output has been varied, composing in many genres. He has composed music for the stage, film, tv, and the concert hall and his music has been broadcast and comercially recorded.
In 1998 he was made Fellow of the National College Of Music and Arts.
He is currently working on a commission from members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for 2004.