Contemporary account of the escape of Rob Roy, after being apprehended, in the year 1717, by the Duke of Athole; in a letter from the Reverend Mr Murray to the Reverend Colin Campbell, Minister of Ardchatton

communicated by Sir Walter Scott, Baronet. From the original, in the possession of John Gregorson, of Ardtornish, Esq.

Abstract

Comrie Manse, 2d July 1717

My accounts of Rob Roy, his escape, are that after several embassies between his Grace, who I hear did correspond with some at Court about it, and Rob, who at length upon promise of protection came to wait upon the Duke (a); and being properly secured, his Grace sent post to Edinburgh to acquaint the Court of his being apprehended, and all his friends at Edinburgh, and to desire a party from General Carpenter to receive and bring him to Edinburgh; which party came the length of   Kinross in Fife. He was to be delivered to them by a party his Grace had demanded from the Governour at Perth, who, when upon the march towards Dunkeld to receive him, were met with, and returned by his Grace having resolved to deliver him by a party of his own men; and left Rob at Logierait under a strong guard, till that party should be ready to receive him. This space of time Rob had employed in taking the other dram heartily with the guard; and when all were pretty hearty, Rob is delivering a letter for his wife to a servant, to whom he must needs deliver some private instructions at the door (for his wife) where he is attended with one of the guard. When serious in this private conversation, he is making some few steps carelessly from the door about the house till he came close by his horse, which he soon mounted and made off. This is no small mortification to the squad, because of the delay it gave to their hopes of a considerable additional charge against John Roy (b).