Rob Roy

‘Rob Roy’ is one of Walter Scott’s most famous and acclaimed novels, telling the story of the legendary outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor and his thrilling adventures in the Scottish Highlands. Set around the time of the first Jacobite uprising, the characters must navigate a harsh landscape in which danger is constantly present and no one can be trusted. The protagonist is Francis Osbaldistone who travels to Scotland to reclaim stolen documents and rescue his family from financial ruin. On his journey, Francis encounters forbidden romance, violent rebellions, possible ghosts, and the titular Rob Roy. This sprawling novel is an incredible romantic tale as it follows a hero on a perilous adventure to defeat deceitful villains and rescue his true love. ‘Rob Roy’ has some gothic elements, such as spectral figures but remains true to Scott’s acclaimed romanticism as he vividly and lyrically portrays Scotland’s natural beauty. A gripping novel that is sure to entertain and enthral fans of romantic and historical literature.

Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) was a Scottish writer, poet, and historian. Fascinated by traditional storytelling, during the 1790s Scott dedicated himself to researching and collecting ballads and published the epic collection ‘Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border’ in 1802. A prominent poet, Scott also wrote and published a range of poems, including the popular ‘The Lady of the Lake.’ His first historical novel ‘Waverley’ was published in 1814, whereupon it was an immediate success, receiving critical acclaim and selling out many printings. His best-known work ‘Ivanhoe’ followed in 1820. Scott died in 1832 at the age of 61. He was commemorated after his death with monuments in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and New York due to his impact on western literature. His literary works influenced and inspired many other great authors such as Virginia Woolf. Internationally renowned, Scott’s literary legacy continues to be felt all over the world to this day.