Rob Roy MacGregor in Outlander: Blood of My Blood is based on a real-life figure- Here's all about the Scottish Outlaw

Outlander: Blood of My Blood Episode 7 spent a significant amount of its narrative on a certain cattle thief. If you are also wondering how Rob Roy MacGregor is important in the Outlander prequel series, it is because the character is based on a real-life figure, who was a known Jacobite Scottish outlaw.

In the recent episode of Starz's fantasy series, the seeds for a Jacobite rising were sown at House Nairne. Seasoned Outlander fans would recall how Dougal MacKenzie was a loyal Jacobite, and we saw the early signs of his support to restore a Stuart King to the throne. To pledge his loyalty, he attended an illegal gathering of Jacobites and also offered the Clan MacKenzie money for the Jacobite cause in the recent episode.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood Episode 7 featured an Easter Egg only Scottish history buffs could recognise. Rob Roy MacGregor, a new character who gave a passionate speech about the Jacobite cause at the gathering, was inspired by a real-life figure.

Rob Roy MacGregor was a Scottish Outlaw who supported the Jacobite cause and even attended the many risings with his father.

More on this in our story.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood: Who was Rob Roy MacGregor?

Fans rightly suspected that Rob Roy MacGregor likely had a deeper connection with the Jacobite rising in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Episode 7.

MacGregor was a very well-known Scottish Outlaw, who was even given the status of a Jacobite folk hero. While seeds of a second Jacobite rising are being sown in the prequel series, Rob Roy MacGregor also joined the Jacobite rising of 1689 with his father. His father was soon imprisoned for high treason, but he continued supporting the Stuart King James VII.

It's quite interesting that Outlander: Blood of My Blood introduced Rob Roy MacGregor in a story involving Clan Grant's cattle theft because the Scottish Outlaw operated an extralegal Watch over the cattle (of his gentry) in return for protection money. Cattle stolen under his watch were either replaced or paid in full. In the prequel series, Rob Roy MacGregor was accused of stealing the Clan Grant cattle, which he cheekily accepted at the gathering when Malcolm arrived with authority. This was particularly on-brand with the real-life figure, who was a known cattle thief and an extortionist. Additionally, Rob Roy MacGregor ran a cattle protection racket, extorting money in return, which was used to support his family and fellow clansmen.

Historically, 1716 Scotland is the perfect opportunity for Rob Roy MacGregor to make an appearance in the Outlander prequel series. Since Dougal McKenzie and the other Jacobites are likely gearing up for the Jacobite rising of 1715, MacGregor might appear in more episodes of Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

Who plays Rob Roy MacGregor in Outlander: Blood of My Blood?

Scottish actor Jamie Sives debuted in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Episode 7 as Rob Roy MacGregor. Sives first rose to prominence with his role as Wilbur in the 2002 Danish-Scottish drama film Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself.

In recent years, Jamie Sives rose to International recognition with projects like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, in which he played guest characters. Additionally, Sives appeared as DI Dougie Gillman in ITV's British drama series Crime, Jake McCall in BBC Two's Guilt and DS Michael McAndrews in Scottish comedy series Annika.

Sives' most recent roles include Cal Innes in the British crime series Shetland and James Hardy in Netflix's breakthrough crime series Dept. Q.

It is not confirmed whether Sives will appear in more episodes of the Starz series, or if Rob Roy MacGregor was just a one-time Easter egg.

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Outlander: Blood of My Blood Episode 8 will be released on Starz on September 19, 2025.

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