He was born on 22 December 1742, the second son of Patrick Stirling 4th laird of Kippendavie (1704-1745), from a family of renowned
Jacobite sympathisers, and his wife Margaret Douglas. In 1776, Stirling inherited the estate of Kippendavie, north-east of
Dunblane, following the death of his elder brother, Patrick Stirling. John then become the 6th Laird of Kippendavie. Around 1800, he also acquired the estate of Kippenross, south-east of Dunblane. On his brother's death, he also inherited the Keir plantation on
Jamaica in the West Indies. He died on 7 June 1816 at aged 73. He was buried in the north aisle of
Dunblane Cathedral. A monument to his memory by
Peter Turnerelli lies high on the north wall. He left a fortune of over £146,000. ==Family==