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.