Rob Roy Macgregor (1671-1734) is legendary as the 'Robin Hood' of Scotland. He was the younger son of the chief of the clan Macgregor. He was born at Glengyle in 1671. Raised as a Jacobite, he took part in the Battle of Killiecrankie at the age of 18 fighting on the Jacobite side.
He was a skilled cattle dealer and had land in Balquidder, Craigroyston and Inversnaid but was evicted after losing a considerable sum of money he had borrowed from the Duke of Montrose. He rented land from his cousin, John Campbell, Earl of Breadalbane, who was a political enemy of the Duke of Montrose, and engaged in cattle stealing and raiding Montrose's land.
In 1694 the name of Macgregor was outlawed and so he used his mother's name, Campbell . During the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion Rob Roy and the clan Gregor supported the Jacobites and engaged in guerrilla warfare against the government troops in the Trossachs. However, because of his allegiance to the Campbells, who were government supporters, he did not fight at the battle of Sheriffmuir.
Despite this he was wanted for High Treason and lived as an outlaw until 1725 when he surrendered to General Wade. He was given a full pardon by George I and later died at his home near Balquhidder in 1734. His grave in Balquhidder Churchyard reads 'Macgregor despite them' in reference to the outlawing of the name.
Click to enlarge the image, read the text then answer the following questions.
Questions
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True or false?
- Rob Roy lived in the 16th century
- Rob Roy had Jacobite leanings
- Rob Roy was 63 years old when he died
- Rob Roy fought at the Battle of Sherrifmuir
- Rob Roy was a cattle rustler
- Rob Roy was born in the late 17th century
- Rob Roy died young
- Rob Roy was outlawed in 1694
- To what extent was Rob Roy a Highland 'Robin Hood'?
- Why does his grave bear the words 'Macgregor despite them'?