The Scottish Radiance Book Shelf

Rob Roy MacGregor
by W H Murray
Rob Roy MacGregor is Scotland's most romantic and elusive hero. So well know was he that no one thought to write down a physical description of him or any direct record of his childhood and youth. Thus tracking down Rob Roy today is to embark upon a painstaking search through the archives, estate records and the folk-myths that have been enriched and confused by the yarns spun around him.

WH Murray has brought together new interpretations of Rob Roy's life in order to produce a new and clearer understanding of the characters, actions, and motives of the man who became a myth and a symbol of Scotland. Murray shows in this highly readable and best-selling biography that Rob Roy renown stems from his remarkable force of character, rather than his politics or his place in the writings of Sir Walter Scott. His political mission outwardly failed, but his extraordinary resolution in adversity earned him a place in history, legend and ultimately the cinema.

"Through his sober, skillful constructed narrative and scrupulous weighing of the evidence, Mr. Murray has made us more excited, more eager, more knowledgeable." - The Times Literary Supplement

"Mr. Murray demonstrates both a keen knowledge of historical landscape and an ability to imaginatively engage the reader in his narrative. I would happily place WH Murray's book amongst the finest examples of historical writing I know. - Alan Sharp - writer of screenplay, Rob Roy

A magnificent volume ... no one should be without it. - The Observer

"Excellent, informative ... a work of love' - The Sunday Times

MacGregor * pb * 266 pp * ISBN 0 86241 5381

0862415381 Price £5.59 plus shipping and handling

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The MacGregor Trilogy
by Nigel Tranter

From 1706 to 1745 in this absorbing trilogy Nigel Tranter charts the fascinating story of the famous Rob Roy MacGregor and his gallant nephew Gregor, fierce opponents of their rulers plan to unite the English and Scottish Parliaments. Outlawed and landless, they clung to Glegyle, the one small remaining corner of their ancient territories, and held fast in their loyalty to the Stuart King over water.

In 1715, declared an outlaw by the Secretary of State, the Duke of Montrose, and the Duke of Cumberland, Rob Roy left home and clansmen to avoid bringing disaster upon them. In his absence, Montrose's factor came to his home, attacking his wife, proud Mary MacGregor, frightening his children and setting fire to Inversnaid House. For which Rob Roy exacted a terrible revenge.

Rob Roy's fierce adherence to the Stuart cause was to be continued by his great nephew Duncan MacGregor, who joined the small band of men escorting Bonnie Prince Charlie to safety after the bitter defeat at Culloden in 1745.

"Tranter's style is compelling and his research scrupulous. He reaches down the ages to breath life into his characters." - Daily Telegraph.

MacGregor * pb * 760 pp * ISBN 0 340 40572 4

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