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.