[4] His father was a tobacco merchant and one of the Glasgow "Virginia Dons" and was co-founder of the Old Ship Bank.

In 1750, he and his brother Robert Dunlop were amongst the 26 founders of the Ship Bank in Glasgow.

[7] James' son was Colin Dunlop of Tolcross (1775-1837) buried in the Glasgow Necropolis.

[8] His second son, John Dunlop of Rosebank also served as Lord Provost.

[9] His daughter Janet Dunlop married Thomas Donald of Geilston,[10] also a tobacco lord in Virginia.