[1] He was born on 28 September 1772 at Keiss near Wick, the son of James Carment (d.1812) the local schoolteacher, and his wife, Elizabeth Dunnet.

In October 1789, at the tender age of 17, he took on the role of parish schoolmaster in Kincardine on a salary of £5 per year but with free board in a room in the manse.

[4] He supplemented his income, to pay for the course, by tutoring the family of George Munro (1743-1832) of South Uist in the summer months.

[2] He then moved to be private tutor to Mr MacDonald's family on Scalpay, a small island near Skye, a period he much enjoyed.

In March 1822 he translated to Rosskeen as assistant to the elderly (72) John Ross and succeeded him as minister on his death in 1824.

[2] Their children included: His wife went to live with John Carment in Edinburgh after David's death, and died at 36 Great King Street in October 1874.