John Macfarlane fiar of Arrochar
Abt 1664 - 1705 (41 years)-
Name John Macfarlane fiar of Arrochar Birth Abt 1664 Gender Male Death 1705 Person ID I28371 CMW Most Recent 2026_0429 Last Modified 30 Apr 2026
Father Andrew Macfarlane, of Ardess 18th Baron of Arrochar 15th Chief, b. Abt 1635 d. Jul 1709 (Age 74 years) Relationship natural Mother Alison Buchanan, b. Abt 1647, Ross and Drumakill, Scotland 
d. Abt 1670 (Age 23 years) Relationship natural Marriage Abt 1660 Scotland Family ID F7599 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 Agnes Wallace of Woolmot Children 1. Andrew Macfarlane d. died young [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] Family ID F7185 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 30 Apr 2026
Family 2 Helen Daughter of Robert 2nd Viscount of Arbuthnot, b. Abt 1675 d. 1741 (Age 66 years) Children 1. Walter Macfarlane 19th Baron of Arrochar 16th Chief, b. Abt 1698 d. 1767 (Age 69 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] 2. Dr. William Macfarlane, 20th Baron of Arrochar, 17th Chief, b. Abt 1701 d. 1791 (Age 90 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] Family ID F7186 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 30 Apr 2026
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Notes - John, fiar of Arrochar (-1705): son of Andrew, died before his father but he had exercised the powers of chief from about 1685. He was appointed Colonel of a regiment of foot in the army of William & Mary c1689. John built Inverioch House near Tarbet overlooking Loch Long in 1697. A portion of the house still stands as the rear of the present house now known as the Claymore Hotel. Unfortunately for the family he was an investor in the Darien Company and lost 200 pounds in that venture that led to the ruin of many Scottish families. He married, first, Agnes, daughter of Sir Hugh Wallace of Woolmot. They had one son, Andrew, who died young. He married, secondly, Helen, daughter of Robert 2nd Viscount of Arbuthnot, by whom he had four sons and one daughter: Walter, his heir; Robert, who died young; William, who succeeded his brother as chief; Alexander; and Catherine, who died young. Alexander became a trade merchant in Jamaica, where he amassed a considerable fortune. He died unmarried in 1755, and left a large estate to his brothers, Walter and William (the latter a physician in Edinburgh). He was a member of the legislative assembly in Jamaica and was one of the best mathematicians of his time. In his will, he left his valuable astronomical instruments to the University of Glasgow, where he had been educated. An observatory later erected at the University was named in his honor, the Macfarlane Observatory. John died on 13 May 1705, and was succeeded by Walter, his eldest son.
Source:
The Earls of Lennox and The MacFarlane Chiefs
By Chuck Poland, Terrance Gach MacFarlane, and Andrew Macfarlane
© November 2012
www.clanmacfarlane.org
1692: Muniment #6. This short document called a "forloafe" from Archibald Earl of Argyll and Colonel of a Regiment of Foot was given on board the good ship called the Sophia of Leith in the Road of Leith on May 3rd 1692 to Captain John McFarlan granting a six week furlough.
https://www.clanmacfarlane.org/public_html/index.php/clan-macfarlane/muniments/593-muniment-hill-6-1692.html
1695: Muniment #7.
This is a Petition from John McFarlan of that Ilk to the "Commission of Parliament '' for hearth & pole money.
https://www.clanmacfarlane.org/public_html/index.php/clan-macfarlane/muniments/594-muniment-hill-7-1692.html
- John, fiar of Arrochar (-1705): son of Andrew, died before his father but he had exercised the powers of chief from about 1685. He was appointed Colonel of a regiment of foot in the army of William & Mary c1689. John built Inverioch House near Tarbet overlooking Loch Long in 1697. A portion of the house still stands as the rear of the present house now known as the Claymore Hotel. Unfortunately for the family he was an investor in the Darien Company and lost 200 pounds in that venture that led to the ruin of many Scottish families. He married, first, Agnes, daughter of Sir Hugh Wallace of Woolmot. They had one son, Andrew, who died young. He married, secondly, Helen, daughter of Robert 2nd Viscount of Arbuthnot, by whom he had four sons and one daughter: Walter, his heir; Robert, who died young; William, who succeeded his brother as chief; Alexander; and Catherine, who died young. Alexander became a trade merchant in Jamaica, where he amassed a considerable fortune. He died unmarried in 1755, and left a large estate to his brothers, Walter and William (the latter a physician in Edinburgh). He was a member of the legislative assembly in Jamaica and was one of the best mathematicians of his time. In his will, he left his valuable astronomical instruments to the University of Glasgow, where he had been educated. An observatory later erected at the University was named in his honor, the Macfarlane Observatory. John died on 13 May 1705, and was succeeded by Walter, his eldest son.