Rob Roy (film) - Historical Accuracy

Historical Accuracy

In Rob Roy, the Scottish Highlanders and English aristocrats are portrayed in opposite manners. The Guardian wrote, "The baddies are English and queer, the goodies are Scottish and ruggedly hetero." It asserted the Scottish portrayal as American-driven and referenced a subplot where one of Rob Roy's men wants to emigrate to America. In addition, while the film spanned the years between 1712 and 1722, the Jacobite Risings (which took place in 1715 and 1719) go unmentioned. Historical events like the rising of the clans, the "disembarkation of the Old Pretender" (James Francis Edward Stuart), and the battles of Sheriffmuir and Glen Shiel were left out of the film.

In the film, the characters Killearn (John Grahame in real life) and Cunningham steal £1,000 that was given to Rob Roy by Montrose as an investment. In reality, Montrose provided Rob Roy £1,000 yearly between 1702 and 1712, and the theft was by one of Rob Roy's men or reportedly by Rob Roy himself. The historical Rob Roy also had an anti-Whig attitude, attacking a kirk in Arngask, stealing the congregation's bibles and forcing its members to strip naked; the attack was not included in the film. In addition, Cunningham (not based on a real person) rapes Mary to provoke Rob Roy, where a legend existed that Grahame (Killearn in the film) was the rapist. Regardless, historians doubt sexual violence took place; Rob Roy captured Grahame but treated him well. Mary, who became pregnant in the film as a result of the rape, was not pregnant at the time in real life. She was only pregnant four years after the supposed rape, giving birth to Robin Og.