He was born at Garnkirk House on 7 January 1706 the sixth son of James Dunlop of Garnkirk (1655-1719) and his wife, Lilias Campbell (d.1709). His father was a tobacco merchant and one of the Glasgow "Virginia Dons" and was co-founder of the Old Ship Bank.Illustrated Catalogue of the Exhibition of Portraits in the New Galleries of Art in Corporation Buildings
