John Maclaurin was more of a scholar than one would expect of a parish minister, for he had translated the Psalms into Gaelic. Colin, however, never knew his father, for he died when Colin was six weeks old. Colin was the youngest of three sons, the oldest being John, while the second was Daniel who died at a young age. Colin Maclaurin's mother inherited a small estate in Argyllshire and it was on the estate that Colin spent the early years of his life.
John Maclaurin ay higit pa sa isang estudyante kaysa sa isa ay inaasahan ng isang parokya ministro, para sa isinalin niya ang Psalms sa Gaelic. Colin, gayunman, hindi alam ng kanyang ama, para sa mga namatay siya kapag Colin ay anim na linggo old. Colin ay ang bunsong ng tatlong anak, ang pinakalumang na John, habang ang pangalawa ay Daniel na namatay sa isang batang edad. Colin Maclaurin ng ina minana ng isang maliit na ari-arian sa Argyllshire at ito ay ang ari-arian na Colin na ginugol ng mga unang taon ng kanyang buhay.