Early life and education Barclay was born at GordonstounDavid Crystal, editor, The Cambridge Biographical Encyclopedia, Cambridge University Press, 1994, p. 73 in Moray, Scotland. His father David Barclay, first laird of Ury, had served under Gustavus Adolphus, and pursued a somewhat tortuous course through the troubles of the Civil Wars. His mother was Katherine Gordon (1620–1663), daughter of Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet of Gordonstoun.
Early life and education Barclay was born at GordonstounDavid Crystal, editor, The Cambridge Biographical Encyclopedia, Cambridge University Press, 1994 p. 73 in Moray, Scotland. His father David Barclay, first laird of Ury, had served under Gustavus Adolphus, and pursued a somewhat tortuous course through the troubles of the Civil Wars. His mother was Katherine Gordon (1620–1663), daughter of Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet of Gordonstoun.