Roy Roy MacGregor
In legend, Rob Roy MacGregor was a giant of a man; in reality, he was of average height, though he had colossal strength and distinctive curly red hair.
The Rob Roy story lives on nearly 350 years after the outlaw was born. The romantic stories of this character were all played out across Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
Let's tell the Rob Roy story by location, at the key scenes throughout the National Park.
There have been many films, including a silent movie Rob Roy, released in 1922 and the more recent Liam Neeson film released in 1995. The area that includes Balquhidder, Strathyre, St Fillans, and Lochearnhead is known as Rob Roy Country.
Glengyle
Glengyle sits at the head of Loch Katrine. Here at this tiny hamlet, Rob Roy MacGregor was born in February 1671. If you take one of the Loch Katrine cruises from Trossachs Pier, you can learn more about Rob Roy and his Loch Katrine connections. If you are cycling or walking between Stronachlachar and Trossachs Pier on Loch Katrine, you will pass Glengyle.
Inversnaid & Loch Arklet
Loch Arklet
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In January 1693, Rob Roy married his cousin Mary MacGregor on a farm close to Loch Arklet, near Inversnaid; they would have four sons. Thanks to the success of his cattle business, Rob Roy became the laird of Inversnaid.
Rob Roy’s Cave
Rob Roy’s Cave
Along the footpath of the West Highland Way, just north of Inversnaid, you will discover Rob Roy’s Cave. The cave is where he hid from the Duke of Montrose’s men who were after him for a debt of £1,000. This debt to the landowner had come about after Rob Roy’s chief drover had disappeared with the profits of selling cattle. Profits meant for Duke of Montrose, and because Rob Roy failed to find his drover and missing money, he was held responsible for the debt.
Many Cruise Loch Lomond’s trips sail past the cave, conveniently identified with large white painted capitals – CAVE. In addition, you will discover more about Rob Roy’s adventures from the onboard cruise commentaries.
Click below to read instructions about walking from Inversnaid to Rob Roy’s Cave as part of our walking guide to that section of the West Highland Way.
Rob Roy’s Views at Inversnaid is a stunning viewpoint located on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond. Rob Roy’s Views offer breathtaking panoramas across Loch Lomond and the rugged surrounding hills, which are said to have been part of Rob Roy’s stomping grounds as a cattleman and outlaw. The views are often celebrated for their dramatic beauty, capturing the wild and romantic essence of the Scottish Highlands that Rob Roy himself would have once experienced.
Portnellan
Clan MacGregor Burial Site, Portnellan
This quiet spot on the banks of Loch Katrine, close to Glengyle, Rob Roy's birthplace, is the location of the Clan Gregor graveyard. William Wordsworth visited in 1803 and incorrectly assumed that this was Rob Roy's resting place.
Loch Lubnaig
Loch Lubnaig
Loch Lubnaig is one of the many locations around Loch Lomond & The Trossachs where Rob Roy managed to evade the soldiers sent from nearby Stirling Castle to capture him. Read Sour guide to Loch Lubnaig can at the link below.
Factors Island
Factor’s Isle, Stronachlachar
Rob Roy Legacy
Sir Walter Scott put Loch Katrine and the Trossachs on the map with his poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’. The inspiration he drew from his visits didn’t stop there, with Scott publishing a biography about the outlaw in 1817.
On an island close to Stronachlachar at Loch Katrine, as part of his lengthy dispute with the Duke of Montrose Rob Roy imprisoned his factor, Graham of Killearn, on the island of Eilean Dharag.
With the introduction of the Loch Katrine Aqueduct in 1859, the water level rose on the loch, so a stone wall was added to protect the island, known as Factor’s Island.
You can get a good view of the island from Stronachlachar, or better still, as the picture above shows on a cruise past it. For more about Loch Katrine and our guide to making the most of your visit, click the button below.
Loch Doine
Loch Doine
Having been imprisoned and then eventually pardoned, Rob Roy spent his later years at first Monachyle Tuarach by Loch Doine, before moving the short distance to Braes of Balquhidder, where he was to spend the last years of his life.
Balquhidder Parish Church
Balquhidder Parish Church
Rob Roy died in 1734 at the age of 63. Buried at Balquhidder Church, his gravestone has the words ‘MacGregor Despite Them’.
Rob Roy’s Grave
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Drymen
Drymen Village Square
The Village Square in Drymen is the starting point of the long-distance trail – The Rob Roy Way. The route is 77 miles in duration, often passing through the very forests and glens that the outlaw would have used. Before heading alongside Loch Tay before concluding at Aberfeldy, the walk takes in Lochearnhead, Balquhidder and Killin.
Before setting off from Drymen, drop into The Clachan Inn, the oldest licensed pub in Scotland. The first licensee was Mistress Gow, Rob Roy’s youngest sister. Discover more about the village of Drymen at our guide linked below.
The Clachan
Thanks for reading
Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
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