This evening, I am focusing on Rob Roy, a legendary Scottish hero who lived 1671-1734 and for most of his life lived close to Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond in what is now the Trossachs area of Central Scotland.

Rob Roy's Grave, Balquidder

Rob Roy’s Grave, Balquidder, Scotland

Rob Roy’s uncle was Donald MacGregor, the Chief of Clan MacGregor and hence Rob was always close to the leadership of the Clan. Some brief facts:

  • Married Mary Helen MacGregor, a union which produced fours sons: James, Ranald, Coll and Robert.
  • Both Rob and father, Donald were Jacobite supporters Latter was jailed for treason and Rob suffered wounds at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719.
  • The major event in Rob’s life was a business transaction which went wrong. In 1712 he borrowed GBP1000.00 from the Duke of Montrose to finance a cattle transaction but the funds were lost when Rob’s associate made off with the money. The Duke seized Rob’s lands in recompense, an act which triggered a long-running feud between Rob and the Duke. Rob was eventually imprisoned but on the eve of his deportation in 1727 was reprieved by King George I and thereafter returned to Balquidder where he died in 1734.
  • Rob Roy’s exploits were romanticised in Sir Walter Scott’s novel Rob Roy.

The family grave of Rob Roy at Balquidder Kirk ( church) is now a minor visitor attraction.