Activist and reformer, identified as one of the 'Red Clydesiders', who went on to become one of Glasgow's most influential Lord Provosts. Born in Baillieston, the son of a miner of Irish descent, Dollan attended St Bridget's elementary school until he was ten years old when he had to find work. At the age of fifteen he joined his father as a miner at the Clydeside Colliery (near Uddingston), but also continued his education by attending 'night school' at Wellshot Academy in Shettleston.
In 1913 he was elected to Glasgow Corporation as Labour councillor for the Govan Central Ward. He was an outspoken critic of the First World War, regarding it as an imperialist venture. He spoke out against the unreasonable rent rises which were imposed during the war, a situation which gave rise to the Rent Restriction Act of 1915, which froze rents at pre-war levels. Dollan also opposed conscription, a stand for which he was imprisoned in 1917. In the 1920s he proposed housing reforms. He served as Lord Provost of Glasgow from 1938-41, the first to come from an Irish Catholic background. He also won the first St. Mungo Prize, awarded to the person who did the most to promote and improve the city of Glasgow in the preceding three years. He recognised the dangers of fascism and encouraged the citizens of Glasgow to support the Second World War. Dollan was knighted in 1941. Continuing his role in improving housing conditions for the people of Glasgow, he was central to the development of East Kilbride as a New Town and served as the first chairman of the East Kilbride Development Corporation (1947-58).
Dollan died in the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow and lies buried in Dalbeth Cemetery. The Dollan Aqua Centre in East Kilbride is named in his honour.