Landscape painter. Born in Slateford (Edinburgh), one of four children, MacWhirter began as an apprentice bookseller with Oliver & Boyd in Edinburgh but did not last long before enrolling in the Trustees Academy under Robert Scott Lauder (1803-69) and John Ballantyne (181597) to follow his artistic passion. He had exhibited his first painting at the Royal Scottish Academy at the remarkable age of 14 and within two years was travelling in Europe. Several trips took him to Germany, Austria, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the South of France, which inspired his work along with the scenery of Scotland. An early influence was John Everett Millais (1829-96), who encouraged him to experiment with the sharp focus of Pre-Raphaelitism, but MacWhirter later adopted a broader style.
MacWhirter was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1867 and two years later settled in London, where he went on to gain a considerable reputation and much wealth. He also produced popular books on painting. MacWhirter died in London and his worked are represented in many collections including the Tate Gallery in London, Dundee Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Dundee, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Rozelle House in Ayr, while his likeness was painted by John Pettie (1839-93).
