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Catriona: A Complete Guide to Robert Louis Stevenson's Scottish Adventure
July 14, 2026

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Catriona (1893) — also published as David Balfour — continues the adventures of its hero immediately after the events of Kidnapped. Having survived shipwreck, murder, and the Highland wilderness, David Balfour returns to Edinburgh to seek justice for James Stewart, a man framed for the Appin murder.

Catriona

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Catriona

The thrilling sequel to Kidnapped — David Balfour returns to 18th-century Scotland to clear a man's name and win the heart of the fiery Catriona Drummond.

Classic Fiction Historical Adventure Scottish Literature

📖 Get the Book at DodaBooks →

Author Robert Louis Stevenson
Published 1893
Genre Classic fiction, historical adventure
Chapters 30
Setting Scotland, Holland, France
Series Sequel to Kidnapped

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The Story

David Balfour returns to Edinburgh to seek justice for James Stewart, a man framed for the Appin murder. But in the corrupt and treacherous world of 18th-century Scottish politics, truth is a dangerous commodity.

As David navigates the intrigues of Edinburgh’s legal establishment — facing down the formidable Lord Advocate Prestongrange — he meets and falls in love with Catriona Drummond, the beautiful daughter of a fugitive Highland outlaw. Their romance unfolds against a backdrop of conspiracy, betrayal, and flight across Scotland, Holland, and France. David must choose between his growing love for Catriona and his quest for justice, all while pursued by enemies who would see him silenced.

📖 About This Edition

Stevenson brings the same vivid storytelling and deep understanding of Scottish history that made Kidnapped a classic. This edition presents the complete 1893 text, carefully formatted for modern e-readers.

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Zero Distractions

No ads, no license pages — just the complete text, clean and uninterrupted.

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Smart Typography

Curly quotes, em-dashes, proper ellipsis — typeset with care for a premium reading experience.

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Chapter Navigation

Full table of contents with navigation to each of the 30 chapters — easily jump between them.

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Cleaned & Polished

All Gutenberg boilerplate stripped, consistent formatting throughout the text.

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No DRM

You own your copy — read on any device, anytime, forever.

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Instant Download

EPUB format included, delivered instantly after purchase.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read Kidnapped first?

While Catriona works as a standalone novel, reading Kidnapped first provides essential context for David Balfour’s backstory and the events leading up to the Appin murder.

Is this a romance or an adventure?

Both. The novel balances David’s quest for justice with his growing love for Catriona Drummond. Stevenson blends historical intrigue, political conspiracy, and a passionate romance into one seamless narrative.

How long does it take to read?

At 337 pages across 30 chapters, most readers finish in 8-11 hours. Stevenson’s crisp prose makes for a fast-paced read.

What is the Appin murder?

A real historical event — the 1752 murder of Colin Campbell, the Red Fox, in Appin, Scotland. James Stewart was hanged for the crime in a controversial trial, and the question of his guilt remains debated to this day.

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Catriona

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Read the Scottish Adventure

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Catriona continues the adventures of David Balfour in a tale of justice, romance, and intrigue. The DodaBooks edition presents the complete 1893 text:

  • Complete 30-chapter text — the full sequel to Kidnapped
  • ✒️ Smart typography — curly quotes, em-dashes, proper ellipsis
  • 📜 Full table of contents with chapter navigation
  • 🔒 DRM-free — read on any device, anytime
  • 📥 Instant download — EPUB format

Get the Book at DodaBooks →