Stuart Threipland studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and in 1737 helped to found the student society later known as the Royal Medical Society, which received a Royal Charter in 1778. After qualifying he practised in Edinburgh. In 1745 he joined the Jacobite army and served as senior medical officer, including at Culloden. After the defeat he went to France, returning under the 1747 amnesty to resume private practice in Edinburgh. He served as President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1766 to 1770.
