Roy Macgregor Art How to Tell if Its Real
Rob Roy MacGregor: Sporran clasp with concealed pistols
This sporran clasp, as worn by Rob Roy in Walter Scott's novel, hides a mortiferous secret: four curtained pistols. But who was this legendary folk hero, and what is his connexion to the Jacobite challenge?
Sporran clasp fact file
Date
18th or early 19th century
Made from
Brass and steel
Dimensions
Width 155mm , height 100mm, depth 45mm
On display
Scotland Transformed, Level 3, National Museum of Scotland
Did you know?
MacGregor's nickname Roy comes from Ruadh, which means red in Gaelic – a reference to his fiery cherry-red hair.
Who was Rob Roy MacGregor?
Rob Roy MacGregor was born in Glengyle, in Stirling, in 1671. In later life he became famous as an outlaw, the 'Scottish Robin Hood', but his association with the Jacobite cause began at an early historic period.
Above: Rob Roy, engraved by WH Worthington from an original drawing, 1820s. © Edinburgh University Library (CC BY 3.0).
In 1689, at the age of but 18, Rob Roy, together with his male parent, joined the Jacobite challenge led by John Graham, 7th Laird of Claverhouse and 1st Viscount Dundee.
Rob Roy and Bonnie Dundee
On 27 July 1689 the Battle of Killiecrankie was fought between Jacobites loyal to Male monarch James and troops supporting the Protestant King William.
The Jacobites won, but at a terrible cost – a third of their number were killed, including Dundee, who was fatally wounded during the Jacobite charge.
Less than a month afterwards, on 21 August, the Battle of Dunkeld raged for over 16 hours and resulted in the tired Jacobites albeit defeat.
Higher up: Pair of gloves said to have been worn past John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee. Leather, silver wire, 17th century.
Rob Roy the cattleman
In Sir Walter Scott'due south novel Rob Roy, MacGregor was portrayed as a principled thief forced into cattle stealing. The real Rob Roy MacGregor was a notorious cattle thief and extortionist who ran a lucrative protection racket. In 1712 a deal with the Duke of Montrose went badly wrong and MacGregor was outlawed.
Above: Obligation by Rob Roy to deliver to James, Duke of Montrose, 60 Highland cows and a bull at 'fourteen pounds Scotts per piece with one bull to the bargane.'
Rob Roy and the 1715 challenge
During the 1715 ascent, the Duke of Argyll commanded the regime troops in Scotland. Rob Roy had been in league with Argyll, an enemy of Montrose. With his loyalties divided, Rob Roy is said to have been an onlooker at the Battle of Sheriffmuir rather than a participant.
Above: Small handbag of deerskin with a rectangular contumely clasp incised with dot-and-circle ornament, said to accept been owned by Rob Roy MacGregor. Perthshire, 18th century.
Rob Roy and the 1719 challenge
In 1719, James VII's son James VIII attempted another challenge to gain the throne, this time supported past Espana. The Jacobite army clashed with Authorities forces at Glen Shiel, where they were defeated. Rob Roy took office in the battle, and was badly wounded.
Above: Peter Tillemans. The Battle of Glenshiel 1719. Figures probably include Lord George Murray, c 1700 - 1760; Rob Roy MacGregor, 1671 - 1734; and General Joseph Wightman, d. 1722. The National Galleries of Scotland. You can observe out more about the painting at the National Galleries website.
Rob Roy the outlaw
Rob Roy was eventually arrested in 1722, but was pardoned five years after by George I, saved in the nick of time from being transported as a prisoner to Barbados.
He died at his home in Balquidder, in Stirling, at the age of 63.
Rob Roy the legend
Rob Roy became a legend in his own life fourth dimension when writer Daniel Defoe published a fictionalised account of his life, The Highland Rogue, in 1723. His resulting popularity may take influenced the decision to pardon him.
His fame increased when Sir Walter Scott published his novel Rob Roy in 1817, and he has continued to be a popular figure on stage and screen ever since.
Above: Sporran squeeze of contumely and steel with four concealed pistols which would burn down if the sporran was not opened correctly. This may have inspired an episode in Sir Walter Scott's novel Rob Roywhere the hero'southward sporran opens by twisting 'one push in one management, another in another... [when] the rima oris of the pocketbook... opened... a small steel pistol was curtained within the mounting... so that the weapon would... [when tampered with]... discharge.'
Source: https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/the-jacobite-challenge/the-jacobite-challenge/rob-roy-macgregor/
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