While we at Hemispheres never really need an excuse to go for a hike in Scotland, this month offers a historical justification: March 7 marks the 350th anniversary of the birth of Robert Roy MacGregor, the legendary outlaw and folk hero better known as Rob Roy, who has been immortalized in the writings of Sir Walter Scott, an onscreen performance by Liam Neeson, and the cocktail menu of the Waldorf-Astoria. There are a number of Roycentric sites that history buffs can visit in Scotland: He was born along the shores of beautiful Loch Katrine, which visitors can cruise aboard the Sir Walter Scott steamship; a statue of the outlaw stands in the town of Stirling; and his grave can be found in the Balquhidder Kirkyard. But perhaps the best way to pay homage to the local hero is by hiking along the Rob Roy Way. One of Scotland’s designated Great Trails, the 79-mile route leads from Drymen to Pitlochry, with sections of it running concurrently with Route 7 of the National Cycle Network. Whether they’re traveling by foot or by wheel, pilgrims will find themselves dropped into the stunning landscape of lochs, glens, and snow-capped mountaintops where Roy lived, exemplified by this scene near Aberfeldy. There’s no question that it’s country worth fighting for. robroyway.com
Walk in a Scottish Folk Hero’s Footsteps on the Rob Roy Way
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