The Duke of Montrose addressed the
Annual General Meeting of the Clan Graham Society this past August (2005).
He discussed a recently published book entitled "The Hunt for Rob Roy,
The Man and the Myths" written by the historian, David Stevenson.
It is indeed the hunt for the
historic Roy Roy MacGregor as well as the fictionalized Rob Roy that is
portrayed as a great romantic figure of massive proportions and covered
with red hair.
From his birth in 1671 until his
death in 1734 the historic Rob Roy's life is a web of lies, contradictions
and myths. He was a con man and a double agent as well as a cattle
thief and kidnapper.
His primary antagonist was the First
Duke of Montrose who had trusted him with his money to purchase cattle on
a number of occasions. History shows the Duke as a man whose trust
is betrayed and who pursues Rob Roy for his rightful debt and later as a
traitor and agent of the Duke of Argyle. Fiction makes Rob Roy a
wronged man who is hounded into the highlands by the powerful Duke of
Montrose.
At last Mr. Stevenson has painted a
much clearer picture of Rob Roy. Now we can correct the image that
Hollywood has contrived and from the writings of such notable authors as
Sir Walter Scott and William Wadsworth who took generous liberty with
history.
This book is complete with references
and much of it's setting is around Buchanan and Mugdock Castles.
Every loyal Graham will enjoy reading this book.
Jim Nethery
In a note to the Webmaster Jim added
the following information.
The Duke's talk was about the
history of Rob Roy and the MacGregors as they related to the First Duke
of Montrose. He pointed out that both film and print the stories have
been badly distorted. He referred to the book "The Hunt For Rob Roy, The
Man and the Myths" by David Stevenson as the first truly accurate
history with valid references that tell the true story. Rob Roy had
never fought in the battle of Sherriffmuir having held his clan safely
some miles away. Because the MacGregors were proscribed Rob Roy took on
the name of his protector and was known as Rob Roy Campbell. He had
given information about the Jacobites to the Duke of Argyle while posing
as to be a supporter of the Stuart Pretender. He also pretended to
inform on the government as a double agent for the Jacobites. Much of
the information was of little value and often was designed to make him
look important to the side he was pretending to support.
The Duke of Montrose explained how
Rob Roy had worked for the First Duke and other great men and when he
realized that his business was failing had taken orders in the fall for
delivery in the spring. He had accepted money from these customers with
the understanding that it was for the purchase of highland cattle but at
the same time he was placing his own properties in the hands of others
to prevent it being claimed as collateral. In essence he was a swindler
and a conman.
The legal system took over ten years
to eventually settle with pennies on the pound. Rob also sent his wife
to collect rent on lands that were no longer his thereby cheating
Montrose and others of the rent that was rightfully theirs. He lived
under the protection of the Duke of Argyle and his brother Campbell of
Breadalbane while he continued to black mail the farmers who leased land
from Montrose and Atholl.
The Duke pointed out that the amount
(1000 pounds) that he originally took from Montrose was not of financial
concern to the Duke. The fact that the Duke had placed his trust in Rob
Roy and even referred others to him and had then been betrayed by him
resulted in Montroses pressing charges against him. Later his informing
for both Argyle and the Jacobites and his black mailing of Montroses
tenants made the Duke bring charges of treason against Rob Roy.
Rob even challenged Montrose to a
duel an then backed out. His explanation for his treasonous and criminal
acts was that the Duke of Montrose had placed him in a such
financial difficulties that he had no other choice.