Rob Roy

As it maybe necessary, in the present Edition(1829), to speak upon the square, the Author thinks it proper to own, that the communication alluded to is entirely imaginary.

2

See Statistcal Account of Scotland, 1st edition, vol. xviii. p. 332. Parish of Kippen.

3

His courage and affectation of foppery were united, which is less frequently the case, with a spirit of innate modesty. He is thus described in Lord Binning's satirical verses, entitled 'Argyle's Levee:'

'Six times had Harry bowed unseen, 
Before he dared advance; 
The Duke then, turning round well pleased, 
Said, 'Sure you've been in France!

A more polite and jaunty man 
I never saw before:' 
Then Harry bowed, and blushed, and bowed, 
And strutted to the door.'

See a Collection of original Poems, by Scotch Gentlemen, vol. ii. p. 125.

4

Mr. Grahame of Gartmore's Causes of the Disturbances in the Highlands. See Jamieson's edition of Burt's Letters from the North of Scotland, Appendix, vol. ii. p. 348.

5

'At night they arrived at Luss, where they were joined by Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss, and James Grant of Plascander, his son-in-law, followed by forty or fifty stately fellows in their short hose and belted plaids, armed each of them with a well-fixed gun on his shoulder, a strong handsome target, with a sharp-pointed steel of above half an ell in length screwed into the navel of it, on his left arm, a sturdy claymore by his side, and a pistol or two, with a dirk and knife, in his belt.'—Rae's History of the Rebellion, 4to, p. 287.

6

The first of these anecdotes, which brings the highest pitch of civilisation so closely in contact with the half- savage state of society, I have heard told by the late distinguished Dr. Gregory; and the members of his family have had the kindness to collate the story with their recollections and family documents, and furnish the authentic particulars. The second rests on the recollection of an old man, who was present when Rob took French leave of his literary cousin on hearing the drums beat, and communicated the circumstance to Mr. Alexander Forbes, a connection of Dr. Gregory by marriage, who is still alive.

7

The reader will find two original letters of the Duke of Montrose, with that which Mr. Graham of Killearn despatched from his prison-house by the Outlaw's command, in the Appendix, No. II.

8

About 1792, when the author chanced to pass that way while on a tour through the Highlands, a garrison, consisting of a single veteran, was still maintained at Inversnaid. The venerable warder was reaping his barley croft in all peace and tranquillity and when we asked admittance to repose ourselves, he told us we would find the key of the Fort under the door.

9

Letters from the North of Scotland, vol. ii. pp. 344, 345.

10

Mad herdsmen—a name given to cattle-stealers [properly one who deserves to fill a widdie, or halter].

11

The winds which sweep a wild glen in Badenoch are so called.