# David Balfour — Catriona character guide

> David Balfour in Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. David, Mr. Balfour, Mr. Davie, David Balfour of Shaws, Balfour of the Shaws, Davie, Dauvit Balfour, Maister Dauvit Balfour

**First appearance:** 0001-catriona

## Who they are

A young Lowlander of stubborn honor, David Balfour narrates his own perilous coming-of-age, caught between loyalty to a Jacobite outlaw and his own conscience.

## Relationships

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_friendship_

Loyal and adventurous companions bound by shared danger and deep mutual respect.

### [Catriona Drummond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/catriona_drummond)

_romantic_

Deep romantic attachment marked by tenderness, loyalty, and trials of separation.

### [Lady Allardyce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/lady_allardyce)

_social_

Polite acquaintance with underlying tension due to her involvement in political intrigue.

### [James More Macgregor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/james_more_macgregor)

_rivalry_

Conflict driven by James More's manipulative nature and David's protective stance toward Catriona.

### [Black Andie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/black_andie)

_friendship_

Loyal and helpful companion who aids David in dangerous situations.

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_friendship_

Loyal and adventurous companions bound by shared danger and deep mutual respect.

### [Lady Allardyce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/lady_allardyce)

_social_

Polite acquaintance with underlying tension due to her involvement in political intrigue.

### [Catriona Drummond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/catriona_drummond)

_romantic_

Deep romantic attachment marked by tenderness, loyalty, and trials of separation.

### [James More Macgregor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/james_more_macgregor)

_rivalry_

Conflict driven by James More's manipulative nature and David's protective stance toward Catriona.

### [Black Andie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/black_andie)

_friendship_

Loyal and helpful companion who aids David in dangerous situations.

## In the story

### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/dedication)

Referenced as the protagonist whose adventures are the subject of the sequel, left waiting in the British Linen Company's office.

### [Catriona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/catriona)

Narrator and protagonist, continuing his adventures.

### [Part I: The Lord Advocate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/part-i-the-lord-advocate)

The protagonist, navigating the treacherous legal and political environment in Edinburgh while trying to protect Alan Breck.

### [A Beggar on Horseback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/i-a-beggar-on-horseback)

Newly made a landed laird, David walks through Edinburgh with a bank porter, buys clothes and a sword, and plans visits to Mr. Balfour of Pilrig, Stewart the Writer, and the Lord Advocate.

### [The Highland Writer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/ii-the-highland-writer)

Visits Charles Stewart with Alan's silver button, entrusts him with several tasks, and declares his intention to surrender to the Lord Advocate.

### [I Go to Pilrig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/iii-i-go-to-pilrig)

David reflects on his motives for helping James Stewart, dons new clothes, and visits Pilrig to secure a letter of introduction from his kinsman.

### [Lord Advocate Preston Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/iv-lord-advocate-preston-grange)

David waits for hours to see Prestongrange, then boldly declares his intention to testify for Alan's innocence, resisting the Lord Advocate's pressure.

### [In the Advocate's House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/v-in-the-advocate-s-house)

Visits the Advocate's house, endures James More's begging, and is introduced to Prestongrange's family.

### [Umquile the Master of Lovat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/vi-umquile-the-master-of-lovat)

Subjected to intense intimidation by Symon Fraser; maintains his integrity despite threats of arrest and slander.

### [I Make a Fault in Honor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/vii-i-make-a-fault-in-honor)

David struggles with his sense of honor and duty, feeling both fear and resolve after his confrontation with Lord Lovat. He visits Catriona at Dean and defends his intentions to Lady Allardyce.

### [The Bravo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/viii-the-bravo)

David visits Prestongrange, learns his testimony is accepted, refuses to betray Alan, and is drawn into a duel orchestrated by others.

### [IX: The Heather on Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/ix-the-heather-on-fire)

David is angry and suspicious after his interview with Prestongrange, realizing he has been mocked and endangered. He seeks counsel from Charles Stewart and learns of the conspiracy against him.

### [X: The Redheaded Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/x-the-redheaded-man)

Visits Catriona at Dean, tells her about the lieutenant, and later confronts her about being followed by Neil.

### [The Wood by Silvermills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xi-the-wood-by-silvermills)

David reflects on his actions, feels guilt over his bargain with Catriona, and considers surrendering to Prestongrange before deciding to stay and warn Alan.

### [On the March Again with Alan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xii-on-the-march-again-with-alan)

Narrator and traveler, reunites with Alan and observes his behavior.

### [Gillane Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xiii-gillane-sands)

Narrator and protagonist; captured and bound by Highlandmen after signaling the brig.

### [The Bass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xiv-the-bass)

Narrator and protagonist; imprisoned on the Bass Rock, he tries to bribe Andie and argues the illegality of his detention.

### [XV: Black Andie’s Tale of Tod Lapraik](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xv-black-andie-s-tale-of-tod-lapraik)

Narrator and mediator; reflects on the superstitious fears of the Highlanders and the eerie atmosphere of the Bass Rock.

### [The Missing Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xvi-the-missing-witness)

Struggles with guilt over missing the trial, attempts to persuade Andie, receives cryptic letters, and resolves to reach Inverary.

### [XVII: The Memorial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xvii-the-memorial)

Narrates his kidnapping and captivity to the lawyers; insists on showing the memorial to Prestongrange; agrees to ride with Prestongrange as a countercheck to the memorial.

### [The Tee'd Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xviii-the-tee-d-ball)

Narrates the chapter; hears the verdict against James Stewart, travels with Prestongrange, and resolves to visit Catriona in prison.

### [I Am Much in the Hands of the Ladies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xix-i-am-much-in-the-hands-of-the-ladies)

Arrives at the Lord Advocate's after a weary ride, learns Catriona has been freed, and is detained by Miss Grant's playful conversation.

### [XX: I Continue to Move in Good Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xx-i-continue-to-move-in-good-society)

Narrator and protagonist; continues to move in good society, is shown Catriona briefly, receives a letter from her, and reflects on the hanging of James Stewart.

### [Part II: Father and Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/part-ii-father-and-daughter)

Narrates his internal conflict regarding his love for Catriona and his sense of honor toward her father.

### [Helvoetsluys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxii-helvoetsluys)

David leaps into the boat to accompany Catriona ashore, arranges for his chests, and confronts Sprott about James More's whereabouts.

### [Travels in Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxiii-travels-in-holland)

David acts as Catriona's protector and false brother, struggling with his duty to her and his own feelings.

### [Full Story of a Copy of Heineccius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxiv-full-story-of-a-copy-of-heineccius)

David is the narrator, deeply conflicted about his feelings for Catriona. He buys her clothes and a flower, but struggles with his role as her protector and his own desires.

### [The Return of James More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxv-the-return-of-james-more)

Awakened by James More's arrival, David defends his care of Catriona and negotiates with her father, offering him lodging and a meal.

### [The Threesome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxvi-the-threesome)

David struggles with his feelings for Catriona and his attempts to manage James More's suspicions, leading to a painful misunderstanding with Catriona.

### [A Twosome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxvii-a-twosome)

Receives news of his uncle's death and his inheritance; stands firm against James More's coercion regarding Catriona.

### [XXVIII: In Which I Am Left Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxviii-in-which-i-am-left-alone)

David confronts James More, arranges a stipend, and proposes to Catriona, only to be refused. He is left heartbroken and alone.

### [We Meet in Dunkirk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxix-we-meet-in-dunkirk)

Narrator; endures separation from Catriona, receives letters, and travels to Dunkirk with Alan.

### [The Letter from the Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxx-the-letter-from-the-ship)

Declares his love to Catriona and proposes, but is troubled by the letter and the danger to Alan.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/chapters/conclusion)

Narrator and protagonist; marries Catriona and navigates the aftermath of their elopement.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters/david_balfour
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/catriona_se/characters