ROB Roy's descent from Alpin, King of Dalriada
Aucht...@aol.com
I just purchased Nigel Tranter's Tales and Traditions of Scottish Castles,
in this book it states that the MacGregor motto is "my race is Royal" and that
he descends from Alpin, King of Dalriada (died in 840) and his son Kenneth
MacAlpin (who united the Picts and the Scots). The it says that the
MacGregors descend, not from Kenneth, but from one of his brothers.
DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS RELATIONSHIP
Rob Roy was the younger son of MacGregor of Glengyle and himself Laird of
Invershaid on Loch Lomondside. He was a member of the Lennox Watch, a group
of highlanders who offered "protection" to farmers, transporting cattle to the
Lowlands. Assignments were obtained by blackmail, much like many gangs do
today.
James VI and his Act of Proscription was implemented in hopes of
destroying the MacGregor clan. This was renewed in 1693 as a result of the
Jacobite rebellion at Killiecrankie in 1689, in which Robert (Rob's father)
and his brother, John, took part.
The article also says that Rob Roy changed his name from MacGregor to
Campbell, at this time. since his mother was a Campbell.
By 1708, Rob was a prosperous cattle dealer.
The movie, Rob Roy tells us of the event of the 12,500 Scottish pounds
from the Duke of Montrose. Tranter says that his partner, MacDonald absconded
with the letter of credit leaving Rob with the brand of thief.
IS IT GENERALLY THOUGHT THAT MACDONALD TOOK THE MONEY, as opposed to it
being stolen in the movie?
Tranter says Rob Roy's total debts totaled 30,000 Scottish pounds.
From this point Rob was merely a cattle thief, and was evicted from
their home.
ANY COMMENTS ON THIS?
Maggie in Michigan (still freezing in -30 degree wild chills)
James C. Woodard
soc.culture.scottish newsgroup. If you do not have access to that group let
me know and I'll cross-post it for you.
Jim
Aucht...@aol.com wrote in message <7a8afb10...@aol.com>...
ray montgomery
RAY
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GLAUC...@aol.com
writes:
> I just purchased Nigel Tranter's Tales and Traditions of Scottish
Castles,
>
> in this book it states that the MacGregor motto is "my race is Royal" and
> that
> he descends from Alpin, King of Dalriada (died in 840) and his son Kenneth
> MacAlpin (who united the Picts and the Scots). The it says that the
> MacGregors descend, not from Kenneth, but from one of his brothers.
>
> DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS RELATIONSHIP
Maggie,
The claim of the Clan Gregor to descent from Alpin, King of Scots is
traditional. I know of no genealogical pedigree that connects the generations
from Rob Roy back to Alpin. Certainly not one that would withstand the
academic rigor found in this list. Indeed, the Chiefs of Clan Gregor have
pedigrees that go back to, I believe, the 1400s. Not bad, but not back to
Alpin either.
One problem that is special to Clan Gregor is that many of their records were
destroyed: 1) When they lost their lands to the Campbell Earls of Argyll
during the feudalization of Scotland. 2) During the proscription of the Clan
Gregor when the name was outlawed and much property seized. 3) During the
Highland Clearances.
The Clan Gregor seem to have had an uncanny knack for always being on the
losing side of Scottish history. But, they did so with boldness and daring.
So, to solace Clan members for the loss of their lands, records, lineage and
history, we have some great literature, primarily from Walter Scott. Not only
his novel, Rob Roy, but the poems "MacGregor's Gathering" and "The Fiery Cross
of Clan Alpine" give fellow Gregorach some great tales and poems to ameliorate
the losses.
Ardchoille,
Lloyd King
The name King is--in my family--the anglicized version of McAree, a MacGregor
sept. McAree means "Son of the King", again commemorating the claim of descent
from Alpin.
P. S. I have always thought that the ability to believe the claim of royal
descent in the complete absence of proof is a kind of test for membership in
the Clan Gregor. Only one with the stubbornness, independence, defiance and
boldness to assert the unproveable in public has the qualities that prove him
a true member of the Clan Gregor. :)
Others have another description for this phenomenon that I won't go into. :)
Reedpcgen
the MacGregors back to Alpin in Betham's Baronetage.
pcr