Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734)

Outlaw and folk hero

Rob Roy MacGregor became a clan leader and, in 1701, acquired land on Loch Lomondside and at Balquidder, where he prospered as a legitimate cattle dealer. A business transaction with the duke of Montrose turned sour when one of his men absconded with the duke's money. An order was issued for Rob Roy's arrest, and he was evicted from his Loch Lomond land by the duke's factor. The earl of Breadalbane came to his rescue, giving him land in Glen Dochart where, in 1713, he renewed his cattle raiding. He led the MacGregors during the Jacobite Rising of 1715 and was accused of high treason. Government mercenaries burned his house. In 1716, the duke of Argyll gave him land at Glen Shira and his raiding activities resumed until he was captured by the duke of Atholl. He escaped, was eventually forced to submit to General Wade in 1725 but granted a Royal Pardon in 1727. He died peacefully in his own bed at Balquidder in 1734.

Birth in 1671

Robert McGregor was baptised on 7 March 1671, the son of Donald McGregor of Glengyle and Margaret Campbell. The entry in the Old Parish Register (OPR) for Buchanan includes the names of two witnesses.

Baptism entry for Rob Roy MacGregor (96 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 474/1, page 26

Marriage in 1693

Robert McGregor married Marie McGregor on 1 January 1693. The entry in the Old Parish Register for Buchanan shows they were both from the parish and had given up their 'names to be proclaimed in order to marriage'.

Proclamation of marriage entry for Rob Roy MacGregor (21 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 474/2, page 26

Testament of Robert Roy Campbell

National Records of Scotland, CC6/5/24 pp 125-126

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