The three plaques read:
“(HELEN) MARY, WIDOW OF ROB ROY, DATE OF DEATH UNKNOWN”,
“ROBERT MACGREGOR (ROB ROY), DIED 28th Dec 1734 (0,5), AGED ABOUT 70”
“COLL DIED 1735, ROBERT DIED 1754, SONS OF ROB ROY
Cattle played an important part in the Highland economy. A chieftain’s wealth was measured by the number of his cattle. Rent to a feudal superior was paid in cattle. They were also an important food source. As well as their meat, the cattle could be bled without killing them, and the blood mixed with oatmeal to make an early version of black pudding.
Cattle were a major export from Scotland – at least 30,000 head of cattle passed over the border each year. Part of the economy was also based on the sale of the cattle in the Lowlands. This meant that huge numbers of cattle had to be moved each Autumn to places like Crieff which held an annual market, or ‘tryst’.
Cattle droving was a much-valued skill throughout the Highlands. As well as having a business sense, drovers had to know the terrain and weather, in order to judge how fast to move the animals. If they were too slow, they would miss the market. In contrast, if they were too fast, the cattle would lose weight and fetch a poor price.
In addition, cattle were regularly stolen from their owners by any number of clans. When it came to theft, the Highland code of morality excluded cattle and regarded them as communal property in much the same way as Native Americans regarded buffalo.
Since cattle were at risk from marauders, protection could be provided, at a price. The word ‘blackmail’ originated in these times. The Scots word ‘mail’ meaning rent joined to ‘black’, referring to a tribute paid to ensure protection of the cattle, who were black and smaller than today’s brown highland cattle. This business had official sanction from the government of the day. The MacGregors, along with other clans, formed properly organised ‘Watches’. No Highlander would have seen a problem in stealing cattle when they were able, whilst protecting the property of others.
