Dennistoun, eldest son of James Dennistoun (died 1 June 1834) by Mary Ramsay, daughter of George Oswald of Auchencruive, was born in Dumbartonshire in 1803, and after receiving his education at the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, became a member of the Faculty of Advocates in 1824.
In 1833 "James Dennistoun, advocate" is listed as living at 1 Albyn Place, a huge house at the north-east of Edinburgh's First New Town on the edge of the Moray Estate [REF].