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The Hunt for Rob Roy: The Man and the Myths
Rob Roy (Robert MacGregor, 1671 - 1734) bears a name that is well known through the heroic images created for him by tradition, by Sir Walter Scott and by Hollywood.
In this biography David Stevenson strips away the myth and challenges many long-held assumptions about Rob. The picture that emerges is one of a remarkable life - but not a heroic one. The image of a man deeply wronged and forced into outlawry has to be modified by the evidence that he was only outlawed after formulating a plan to swindle his creditors. The staunch Jacobite is revealed as a man who supplied intelligence to the government against those he had supported. The supposed warrior leader never fought in a battle. The reputed great duellist avoided violence whenever possible and is only known to have fought one duel - which he lost.
Yet Rob remains an attractive figure. That he survived, in spite of the odds against him, is a remarkable tribute to his tenacity of both body and spirit, and to his ability to make people like and trust him. With this book Scotland may lose a hero of the old-fashioned, unreal sort, but it possesses in Rob Roy a man whose true life-story as it emerges is dramatic and human.
In this biography David Stevenson strips away the myth and challenges many long-held assumptions about Rob. The picture that emerges is one of a remarkable life - but not a heroic one. The image of a man deeply wronged and forced into outlawry has to be modified by the evidence that he was only outlawed after formulating a plan to swindle his creditors. The staunch Jacobite is revealed as a man who supplied intelligence to the government against those he had supported. The supposed warrior leader never fought in a battle. The reputed great duellist avoided violence whenever possible and is only known to have fought one duel - which he lost.
Yet Rob remains an attractive figure. That he survived, in spite of the odds against him, is a remarkable tribute to his tenacity of both body and spirit, and to his ability to make people like and trust him. With this book Scotland may lose a hero of the old-fashioned, unreal sort, but it possesses in Rob Roy a man whose true life-story as it emerges is dramatic and human.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2004
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37 people want to read
About the author
David Stevenson
56 books10 followersDavid Stevenson is Professor Emeritus of Scottish History at the University of St Andrews.
Stevenson was born in Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland and studied in Dublin and Glasgow. He was a lecturer (1970-1980), senior lecturer (1980-1984), and reader Scotland, (1984-1990) at the University of Aberdeen. He was Professor of Scottish History at the University St. Andrews, Scotland (1991-1994), and has been honorary professor Scotland, since 1994. He was Chairman of the Company of Scottish History, 1991-1994.
He was a Member of the Scottish Records Advisory Council, Scotland, 1989-1994.
Stevenson was born in Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland and studied in Dublin and Glasgow. He was a lecturer (1970-1980), senior lecturer (1980-1984), and reader Scotland, (1984-1990) at the University of Aberdeen. He was Professor of Scottish History at the University St. Andrews, Scotland (1991-1994), and has been honorary professor Scotland, since 1994. He was Chairman of the Company of Scottish History, 1991-1994.
He was a Member of the Scottish Records Advisory Council, Scotland, 1989-1994.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 12, 2019
Last October two old friends made a short visit to the area where I live. I took to them to see one of our local scenic highlights, a waterfall that featured in the 1995 film “Rob Roy” which starred Liam Neeson. Knowing me to be a history geek, one of my friends asked me about the real story of Rob Roy, and I realised that, of the little I had heard, I didn’t know what was true and what was myth. Prof. Stevenson identifies the problem in his Preface, where he explains his aim in writing this book was to “disentangle the man who once lived and breathed from the vast haystack of legends and hero worship that has hidden him for centuries.”
I would say he’s made a good job of it, exhaustively researching court records and contemporary letters and diaries to build a picture of the man behind the myth. Rob Roy lived between 1671 and 1734, near enough in time for there to be written evidence about him. Whilst the true story is, predictably, a long way from the myth, certain parts of the myth survive Prof. Stevenson’s analysis.
He dismisses the story of Rob Roy as a man driven to banditry through being wronged, concluding that he became an outlaw after defrauding his business partners, keeping for himself money that he was supposed to have used to buy cattle. As an outlaw though he was pretty successful, always keeping one step ahead of the authorities and in particular his most implacable enemy, the Duke of Montrose. He was skilful at exploiting animosities amongst the aristocracy, allying himself with Montrose’s political rival, the Duke of Argyll. Whenever the net seemed to be closing in, Rob could always find a safe house within Argyll’s territory. There’s no doubt much of his popular appeal arose from being the “little man”, who nevertheless outwitted the arrogant aristocrat Montrose.
As an outlaw, Rob seems to have lived largely from “black mail”, i.e. protection money. His lands were at the very southern edge of the Highlands, only around 30 miles from lowland cities like Glasgow and Stirling. In 1725, one astonished English officer wrote:
“Not long before I left Stirling, the famous Rob Roy’s wife went through the whole town and country thereabouts to those that held any land, acquainted them with who she was and that she wanted such sums which they were obliged to comply with, but this Rob Roy is a man of such honour that where he steals himself, those he protects from the insults of others, so that he is one of the most genteel rogues amongst them.”
As the author says, none of the people who feature in this book are likely to impress the modern reader with their principles, but Rob Roy lived in harsh times, “an age steeped in double dealing and corruption.” People sought gain for themselves and their families and were often ruthless in doing so. Men like Rob Roy could be admired by others for using trickery and guile to survive, and to a certain extent he knew how to play to the gallery.
This is a very detailed book, and whilst I enjoyed it, I had the advantage of knowing the area in which these events occurred. Four stars from me, but this is probably one for those with a particular interest in Scottish history.
I would say he’s made a good job of it, exhaustively researching court records and contemporary letters and diaries to build a picture of the man behind the myth. Rob Roy lived between 1671 and 1734, near enough in time for there to be written evidence about him. Whilst the true story is, predictably, a long way from the myth, certain parts of the myth survive Prof. Stevenson’s analysis.
He dismisses the story of Rob Roy as a man driven to banditry through being wronged, concluding that he became an outlaw after defrauding his business partners, keeping for himself money that he was supposed to have used to buy cattle. As an outlaw though he was pretty successful, always keeping one step ahead of the authorities and in particular his most implacable enemy, the Duke of Montrose. He was skilful at exploiting animosities amongst the aristocracy, allying himself with Montrose’s political rival, the Duke of Argyll. Whenever the net seemed to be closing in, Rob could always find a safe house within Argyll’s territory. There’s no doubt much of his popular appeal arose from being the “little man”, who nevertheless outwitted the arrogant aristocrat Montrose.
As an outlaw, Rob seems to have lived largely from “black mail”, i.e. protection money. His lands were at the very southern edge of the Highlands, only around 30 miles from lowland cities like Glasgow and Stirling. In 1725, one astonished English officer wrote:
“Not long before I left Stirling, the famous Rob Roy’s wife went through the whole town and country thereabouts to those that held any land, acquainted them with who she was and that she wanted such sums which they were obliged to comply with, but this Rob Roy is a man of such honour that where he steals himself, those he protects from the insults of others, so that he is one of the most genteel rogues amongst them.”
As the author says, none of the people who feature in this book are likely to impress the modern reader with their principles, but Rob Roy lived in harsh times, “an age steeped in double dealing and corruption.” People sought gain for themselves and their families and were often ruthless in doing so. Men like Rob Roy could be admired by others for using trickery and guile to survive, and to a certain extent he knew how to play to the gallery.
This is a very detailed book, and whilst I enjoyed it, I had the advantage of knowing the area in which these events occurred. Four stars from me, but this is probably one for those with a particular interest in Scottish history.
April 13, 2021
This was really about the life and times of Rob Roy with a good chunk about his life and that of others of his time and his son's activities.
He was no one to idolise, he was a thief who probably caused untold misery to his victims. Whilst stealing from the rich this was achieved by actually stealing from the tenants pushing them to the limits. The collection of blackmail was effectively another tax on those who probably could not afford to lose such sums or goods. Rob Roy was no Robin Hood, he was only acting in his self interests. Having said the above, many others were similarly engaged, but he is the one reported to history.
A well researched book and a good read for those interested in those times.
He was no one to idolise, he was a thief who probably caused untold misery to his victims. Whilst stealing from the rich this was achieved by actually stealing from the tenants pushing them to the limits. The collection of blackmail was effectively another tax on those who probably could not afford to lose such sums or goods. Rob Roy was no Robin Hood, he was only acting in his self interests. Having said the above, many others were similarly engaged, but he is the one reported to history.
A well researched book and a good read for those interested in those times.
June 13, 2019
True or false, hero or villain, no one can deny that the legend of Rob Roy is a ripping yarn. So to write a boring book about him is to betray both the man and the reader. And that, alas, is what the author has done here.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews