Muirhead was born in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, the second son of Andrew Muirhead, a businessman and owner of the Gryffe Tannery, and his wife, Isabella Reid.
Roland was a member of the Young Scots' Society but left in 1914 due to pacifist objections to Liberal Party support for Britain's involvement in the First World War.
A letter to a Nazi agent, Dr Von Teffenar, was found at his home.
While remaining a leading member of the SNP, he devoted most of his time to the new group and, ultimately, the production of a proposed Scottish constitution.
[3] Tom Johnston MP, a lifelong friend of Muirhead, and Labour Secretary of State for Scotland during the 2nd World War Coalition government, stated that Roland Muirhead was 'the greatest patriot which Renfrewshire has produced since William Wallace'.