McCrindle was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He began his acting career in 1937 starring in minor roles in UK Television. From 1946 to 1951 he played the role of Jock Anderson in Dick Barton – Special Agent. In 1951 he starred in his first film in the USA, The House in the Square. From there his acting career took off. He then did five more films: I Believe in You (1952), The Kidnappers (1953), Trouble in the Glen (1954), Geordie (1955) and Depth Charge (1960).
McCrindle was married, secondly, to children's Novelist Honor Arundel, who survived him, along with his three children. According to Doris Lessing, McCrindle and Arundel's home in the 1950s was a hub of Communist Party activity and organisation.
From 1962 to 1974 he went to television acting. In 1976 he was cast as General Dodonna in the first Star Wars film. He went back to minor roles on TV, including the role of the eccentric Veterinarian Ewan Ross on All Creatures Great and Small.
