Arrived at manhood, he studied medicine, graduated at Edinburgh, and practised in Scarborough until nearly his death in 1866.

He was thrice Mayor and a Justice of the Peace for the borough.
Dr.Harland was a man of much force of character, and displayed great originality in the treatment of disease.

Besides exercising skill in his profession, he had a great love for mechanical pursuits.

He spent his leisure time in inventions of many sorts; and, in conjunction with the late Sir George Cayley of Brompton, he kept an excellent mechanic constantly at work.
In 1827 he invented and patented a steam-carriage for running on common roads.

Before the adoption of railways, the old stage coaches were found slow and insufficient for the traffic.