Educated at the High School of Glasgow, he served in Palestine with the Royal Artillery from 1945 to 1947. While serving he suffered an injury to his neck. Later he founded N . S Macfarlane & Co. Ltd. in 1949, later becoming the Macfarlane Group (Clansman) plc in 1973. From 1973 to 1990 he served as Managing Director, and as Chair 1973-98, becoming Honorary Life President in 1999.He was a Trustee of the National Heritage Memorial Fund from 1984 to 1997 and of the National Galleries of Scotland from 1986 until 1997. Most recently he directed the fund-raising campaign for the Kelvingrove Art Gallery refurbishment.
He was a Member of the Council CBI Scotland from 1975 to 1981, a Board Member of the Scottish Development Agency from 1979 until 1987, and a Member of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland from 1980 to 1982.
On 23rd February 2007 Lord MacFarlane received the Freedom of the City of Glasgow at a ceremony in the Glasgow City Chambers by Lord ProvostLiz Cameron. The Lord Provost said "I am delighted to present our highest civic honour to one of our greatest Glaswegians. Lord Macfarlane has achieved a great deal in his own life, and done so much for his home city and country in the fields of business, commerce, the arts and charity. Lord Macfarlane’s devotion to Glasgow is perhaps summed up by his tireless work as the Chairman of the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal, where his inspirational work for refurbishment of our most beloved building resulted in the huge sum of £12.75 million being donated to Kelvingrove. His support for Glasgow has been unstinting, and it has been wonderful to work with him. He is a most deserving recipient of the Freedom of the City of Glasgow"
