Born in Edinburgh in 1942, Kirkland Main RSA trained at Edinburgh College of Art from 1960-1965. He went on to lecture in Drawing and Painting at the College from 1969-1999, later becoming Head of the School and Vice Principle. In 1998 he was also made a made Professor at Heriot Watt University.


After his retirement he continued to paint full-time from his studio in Cramond, Edinburgh.