He was born the son of Sir David William Barclay of Pierston, Ayrshire, 10th Baronet, whom he succeeded as 11th Baronet in 1888. He was educated at Grosvenor College, Bath.
He joined the Colonial Service in 1846 and was posted to Mauritius, where he became a Member of the Legislative Council, Collector of Customs and Receiver-General.
He died in Paris in 1896. He had married Louise Melanie de Belzim, with whom he had three sons. He was succeeded as 12th Baronet by his eldest son, Sir David Edward Durell Barclay.