Summary
Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott is a work of historical fiction, published in 1817, that has become a classic of Scottish literature. Set against the backdrop of the 1715 Jacobite rising, the novel weaves together romance, adventure, and political intrigue in the Scottish Highlands. While the titular character Rob Roy MacGregor plays a significant role, the story focuses on the journey of young Frank Osbaldistone as he navigates family disputes, forbidden love, and dangerous conspiracies. Scott's vivid depictions of Highland culture and landscapes have made Rob Roy an enduring favorite, inspiring numerous screen adaptations.
Plot
Frank Osbaldistone, the narrator of Rob Roy, is sent to live with his uncle in Northumberland after refusing to join his father's business. There, he falls in love with his cousin Diana Vernon, whose father is in hiding due to Jacobite sympathies. When Frank's cousin Rashleigh steals important documents that threaten his father's business, Frank pursues him to Scotland.
In Scotland, Frank's path repeatedly crosses with the enigmatic outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. As Frank navigates the tumultuous Scottish Highlands amid the Jacobite uprising of 1715, he becomes embroiled in political intrigue and violent skirmishes. The story culminates in a British army detachment being ambushed, resulting in bloodshed.
Throughout his adventures, Frank must recover the stolen documents to save his father's reputation and wealth. The novel concludes with the deaths of Sir Hildebrand's sons, including Rashleigh's violent end. Frank ultimately inherits his uncle's property and marries Diana, bringing the tale to a close against the backdrop of a Scotland deeply divided by political and social upheaval.
Themes
Honor and loyalty in turbulent times
Coming of age and self-discovery
Jacobite rebellion and political intrigue
Conflict between cultures, particularly the Scottish Highland and Lowland
Romance and forbidden love
Family obligations versus personal desires
Justice and morality in a changing society
Setting
Rob Roy is set in the early 18th century, primarily in Scotland, during a time of political turmoil. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the 1715 Jacobite rising, a period marked by tension and conflict between supporters of the exiled Stuart dynasty and the ruling Hanoverian monarchy. This era was characterized by deep divisions in Scottish society, with many Highlanders remaining loyal to the Jacobite cause.
The novel's geographical scope spans both England and Scotland, with much of the action taking place in the Scottish Highlands. Sir Walter Scott vividly portrays the rugged landscape around Loch Lomond, bringing to life the mountains, valleys, and lochs that form the dramatic setting for many pivotal scenes. The contrast between the urban centers of Glasgow and the wild Highland terrain serves to highlight the cultural and economic differences within Scotland at the time.
Characters
Frank Osbaldistone: The narrator and protagonist, a young Englishman who rejects his father's mercantile business and is sent to live with his uncle in Northumberland.
Rob Roy MacGregor: The titular character, a Scottish outlaw and clan leader who assists Frank. He is a complex figure straddling Highland and Lowland cultures.
Diana Vernon: Sir Hildebrand's niece and Frank's love interest. An intelligent and spirited young woman, she is caught between her family's Jacobite sympathies and her own desires.
Rashleigh Osbaldistone: Frank's villainous cousin who steals important documents from Frank's father's business. Cunning and unscrupulous, he serves as the main antagonist.
Bailie Nicol Jarvie: A Glasgow merchant and magistrate who aids Frank. He provides comic relief and represents Lowland Scottish pragmatism.
William Osbaldistone: Frank's father, a successful London merchant who sends his son north after their disagreement.
Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone: Frank's uncle and Diana's guardian, a Jacobite sympathizer living in Northumberland.
Andrew Fairservice: Frank's servant, a cowardly and self-serving individual who provides local knowledge and occasional comic relief.
Helen MacGregor: Rob Roy's wife, a fierce and proud Highland woman who leads the clan in her husband's absence.
Owen: William Osbaldistone's loyal head clerk who assists Frank in his mission.
Quick facts
Sir Walter Scott wrote Rob Roy in just over seven months, completing it in December 1817.
Rob Roy was published anonymously in 1817, like the author’s other Waverley novels.
The initial print run was 10,000 copies, priced at £1 4s.
Scott's portrayal of Rob Roy MacGregor is largely fictional and bears little resemblance to the historical figure.
Despite the novel’s title, the character of Rob Roy plays a relatively minor role in the overall plot.
The novel is set just before the Jacobite rising of 1715, though Scott took liberties with historical chronology.
Scott used several printed sources for research, including a 1723 book called The Highland Rogue.
Some of the dialogue is written in Scots dialect, and the novel includes a glossary of Scottish words.
The character of Bailie Nicol Jarvie inspired the name of a popular brand of blended Scotch whisky.
Rob Roy has inspired several screen adaptations, including a 1995 film starring Liam Neeson, though it bears little resemblance to the original story.
Robert Louis Stevenson considered Rob Roy to be “the best novel of the greatest of all novelists."
About the Author
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a Scottish author recognized for pioneering the historical novel. Born in Edinburgh, Scott began his literary career as a collector and editor of Scottish ballads before achieving fame as a poet with works like The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. However, it was his series of historical novels beginning with Waverley in 1814 that cemented his reputation and influence.
Scott's novels, which included classics like Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, and The Heart of Midlothian, were enormously popular throughout Europe and America. Set in various historical periods, they combined adventure, romance, and a vivid evocation of the past. Scott drew on his deep knowledge of Scottish history and folklore to create richly detailed settings and characters. His romantic depictions of Scottish history and culture shaped perceptions of Scotland, both at home and abroad.
Beyond his poems and novels, Scott had a successful career as a lawyer, serving as Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire and Clerk of Session in Edinburgh. He was a prominent figure in Scottish society and played a key role in orchestrating King George IV's visit to Scotland in 1822, helping to popularize tartan and Highland culture. Scott's baronetcy was granted that same year. His home at Abbotsford remains a popular tourist attraction, while his likeness appears on Scottish banknotes as an enduring symbol of Scottish culture and heritage.
