Complex sentence: Ancram was called to the Scottish Bar in 1970 and continued to practice as an Advocate until 1979, apart from a brief period in 1974 when he first sat as an MP; he became a Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1996.
Split into simpler sentences: Ancram was called to the Scottish Bar in 1970 and continued to practise as an Advocate until 1979, apart from a brief period in 1974 when he first sat as an MP. He became a Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1996.