Rob Roy Way: Follow in the Footsteps of a Scottish Legend

The story of Rob Roy MacGregor is legendary. Known as an outlaw and folk hero in Scotland, Rob Roy, or Red MacGregor as he was often referred to, has inspired many a tall tale, books and movies. Between 1671 to 1734, Rob Roy carved a life for himself, his wife and his children in Scotland, and as the fascination with him has never died, enthusiasts of this legendary figure have worked hard at giving visitors and locals the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Rob Roy and visit noteworthy sites associated with him, on the Rob Roy Way.

Rob Roy Way will take a few days to complete as it covers a distance of approximately seventy nine miles from start to finish. Hikers usually begin in Drymen and end in Pitlochry, as it allows hikers to get used to the conditions and be fit enough to take on the more challenging parts of this historical journey closer to the end of the trail. Some parts of Rob Roy Way snakes through privately owned land, but land owners are very accommodating, and as long as hikers remain on the path, they will be able to enjoy the magnificence of Rob Roy Way without any problems. Jacquetta Megarry wrote and published a guidebook to the Rob Roy Way, giving clear directions and information in regard to the sights hikers will come across.

Divided into daily stretches, hiking enthusiasts will find many memorable moments on their Rob Roy adventure, such as the Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre in Callander, the Rob Roy Bar in the King’s House Hotel, Rob Roy’s grave site in Balguhidder, the Pitlochry suspension bridge and the 1733 General Wade’s Bridge which was built after the 1715 Jacobite Uprising, in which Rob Roy took part. The guidebook will allow hikers to safely navigate the hills, fields and farm lands, and also suggest accommodation establishments along the way.

Rob Roy Way is not only a method of following the life of Rob Roy MacGregor, but a way of discovering the beauty of Scotland. Hiking this trail takes visitors through some of the most breathtaking landscapes, quaint villages and significant landmarks in the country. It is a hiking adventure that tests hikers’ skills and endurance, while rewarding them with the beauty of nature and a story that shaped the folklore of Scotland.