"Sir Walter Scott definitely romanticised him, but I think he was really rather a rascal and certainly pinched 2,000 sheep from my ancestors. I don’t think he was the hero he was made out to be.
"However, he didn’t murder anyone, as far as I know, and was supposed to have helped the poor. So he wasn’t all bad. At the end of the day, he was very clever at getting away with things."
Stevenson himself admits Rob Roy had a likeable side. "He was witty and had charm," he said. "He was educated too and could write English well.
"He had a good understanding of the law and how to manipulate it. I wouldn’t say that I came to like him as a person.
"It would be interesting to sit down and talk with him, but I would definitely keep my hand on my wallet."
Aye, we Scotts are much maligned. A bit of chicanery on the locals is all in a wee bit of fun. And if we need a legend, well we can create one. Besides, its the winner who create the most believed history. Slainte'