[1] He was born in Fife, Scotland in 1802,[2] the son of Adam Rolland of Gask, FRSE Principal Clerk of Session, and Anne Elizabeth Newbigging.
[4] In 1859 he emigrated to Otago in New Zealand on the ship Alpine with his wife and family.
He lived at Gask Lodge on the Clutha River near Kaitangata, and also bought Blackstone Hill station in Central Otago, later selling it to his sons.
He is buried with his parents and grandparents in St Cuthbert's Churchyard in the city centre.
[6] He had a fairly large family and his grandchildren included Sir Frank Rolland.