Peter Morrison was born in Greenock on 14 August 1940 to Robin and Rhoda Morrison.  His mother came from Greenock and his father from Port Bannatyne on Bute.  Both his parents were school teachers in the town.

The family were all musical and entered the Renfrewshire Music Festival at school in the piano, singing and elocution classes.  Peter attended Greenock Academy and then Glasgow University where he studied classics and also became very involved in the Music Club, the Cecilian Society and was in the Chapel Choir.   During this time he began to take professional singing engagements.  He also  became a practicing solicitor.