Today in 1879 the Tay Bridge disaster occurred.

75 passengers were killed when the structure collapsed under a train during a storm. The subsequent inquiry found that the bridge's designer, Thomas Bouch, had not made sufficient allowance for wind pressure and that the contractor had used imperfect metal castings. Bouch was widely blamed for the tragedy and died of ill health brought on by his ordeal shortly thereafter. The foundations of the collapsed bridge can still be seen today as one crosses the Tay on its replacement.

On this day in 1734 Scotland's famous outlaw, Rob "Roy" MacGregor, died. He was immortalised in Sir Walter Scott's novel, Rob Roy, and though the dramatic licence employed by Scott was considerable, MacGregor's life story is fascinating. Born in the Trossachs, he was a successful soldier from an early age. After a loan repayment to the Duke of Montrose was apparently stolen, a warrant was issued for his arrest. When his wife and children were evicted by the Duke's factor MacGregor began a campaign of violence and robbery against Montrose's property, supported by the Duke of Argyll.

Many adventures ensued, most famously his daring escape from the back of a horse, when he cut his bonds and leaped into the river Forth. He was eventually captured and sentenced to transportation, but he even managed to escape that when he received a pardon at the last minute.

Today's recipe: tired of turkey? Try this classic beef Wellington.