For sale: Cottage owned by Rob Roy kidnap victims

A COTTAGE whose owners were kidnapped by Rob Roy is up for sale - and it comes with the door that he tried to burn down.

Old Auchentroig, in Buchlyvie, Stirling, was built for local landowner John MacLachlan and his family early in the 18th century.

Legend has it that a member of the MacLachlan clan offended the Scottish outlaw at an annual fair at Aberfoyle.

Rob Roy - famously played by Liam Neeson in the 1995 action film - retaliated by setting fire to the oak door of the cottage and kidnapping the laird and his son.

Now the house, along with the charred door, is on the market for just £195,000.

Old Auchentroig, also known as Rob Roy’s cottage, boasts two bedrooms, lounge with large fireplace and original beams.

In the kitchen is the original door set on fire by the “Scottish Robin Hood”, studded with wrought-iron nail heads and with the original latch and hinges.

A panel over the replacement cottage door carries John MacLachlan’s coat of arms along with his initials and those of two wives.

History claims that after his kidnap, a ransom was paid for him and his son’s safe return, and the feud eventually came to an end with both MacLachlan and Rob Roy cementing a friendship.

Now, almost 300 years on, history fanatics have the chance to purchase the two-storey house, which retains the original layout with two rooms on each floor flanking a central staircase.

It is on the market with estate agents Baird Lumsden, for offers over £195,000.

Their sales brief reads: “Old Auchentroig is an A-listed home of architectural importance and historical significance.

“In 1710 the property was raided by Rob Roy McGregor and the owner John MacLachlan and his son were kidnapped.

“The original entrance door was set on fire by Rob Roy during the raid and is now on display, mounted to a wall in the kitchen.”

It adds: “Old Auchentroig enjoys a superb setting in the grounds of a country estate between the villages of Buchlyvie and Aberfoyle.

“There are level gardens in grass to the front and rear of the property, as well as a driveway area for parking. An adjoining outbuilding provides good storage and workshop space.”

Eight years ago, the A-listed cottage was restored by the National Trust under their Little Homes scheme.

The work included extensive repairs to the roof and lime plastering on the walls, and a small plaque bearing the National Institute of Scotland logo is attached to the outside of the house.