Canadian politician. Born in Carruth House (Inverclyde), MacDowall was the second son of Henry MacDowall of Garthland. He was educated in England and at Trinity College, Glenalmond. He travelled widely, then joined the army in 1872 but resigned in 1879, leaving Scotland for Canada. In 1883, he was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, serving until 1885. MacDowall was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1887 representing Saskatchewan. He was re-elected in 1891 and served until 1896.
MacDowall was a prominent early resident of Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, and the nearby settlement of MacDowall was named in his honour.
