On this day in 1734 Scotlands famous outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor, died. He was immortalised in Sir Walter Scotts novel, Rob Roy, and though the dramatic licence employed by Scott was considerable, MacGregors life story is fascinating. Born in the Trossachs, he was a successful soldier from an early age. After a loan repayment to the Duke of Montrose was apparently stolen, a warrant was issued for his arrest. When his wife and children were evicted by the Dukes factor MacGregor began a campaign of violence and robbery against Montroses property, supported by the Duke of Argyll. Rob Roy Many adventures ensued, most famously his daring escape from the back of a horse, when he cut his bonds and leaped into the river Forth. He was eventually captured and sentenced to transportation, but he even managed to escape that when he received a pardon at the last minute.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 10:30:09 +0000
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