ROB ROY : SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where was Rob Roy born?
At Glengyle, at the head of Loch Katrine.
When was he baptised?
On 7th March 1671, as proved by an extract from the Register of Baptisms of Buchanan Parish. His father was Donald MacGregor, his mother Margaret Campbell.
Was he a MacGregor Chief?
No, he was the third son of Donald of Glengyle, a chieftain. But later Rob Roy became War Leader of the clan, which entitled him to wear the three eagle's feathers of a chief.
Whom did he marry?
Mary Helen MacGregor of Comar, born at Leny Farm, Strathyre. They were married in Glenarklet in January 1693, according to Buchanan Records.
How many children did they have?
There is recorded proof of four sons only. They were James, known as Mor, or Tall; Ranald; Coll; Robert, known as Robin Oig, or Young Rob. A cousin Duncan was adopted.
Why did he get the name Rob Roy?
It was anglicised from the Gaelic Raibert Ruadh, or Red Robert because he had red hair, which darkened to auburn in later life.
Was Rob Roy ever imprisoned, or captured?
There are many legends of imprisonment but no proof. He was captured several times but always daringly escaped.
Where did he die?
In his house at Inverlochlarig Beg, Balquhidder, on 28th December 1734, report in the Caledonian Mercury newspaper one week later in Edinburgh.
What property did he have?
In his will, given by his wife to the Commissary at Dunblane, he left £274:13:4 Scots, equal to £23 English, all to her.
Where was he buried?
In Balquhidder Kirkyard, confirmed by information given by his descendants to the Clan Gregor Society. The detail on the ornamental bronze rail round his grave gives his age wrongly as 70. He was 63.
Has he any living descendants?
James had 14 children recorded; Coll had a son and daughter recorded; Ranald married his cousin Jean, daughter of MacGregor of Glengyle and the Glengyle line descended from them; Robin Oig's wife died young and there are no records of legitimate descendants from him. But many persons alive now claim descent from Rob Roy. |