He was born in the manse at Portmoak on the banks of Loch Leven, the son of Hugh Laird (d.1849).

[1][2][3] He studied divinity at the University of Edinburgh and was ordained by the Church of Scotland at Arbroath in 1835.

In 1853 he translated to the Free Church in Cupar, replacing Adam Cairns.

This was designed by Campbell Douglas and occupied from 1875 but the huge spire was not completed until 1879.

He married 5 November 1840, Agnes Maule (born 11 May 1822, died 11 December 1887), daughter of Thomas Anderson, farmer, Westhaven, Carnoustie, and Jean Sim, and had issue — John's grandson, by his son D. M. W. Laird was the philosopher John Laird.