# Lord Advocate Prestongrange — Catriona character guide

> Lord Advocate Prestongrange in Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Prestongrange, Here Prestongrange, Lord Advocate, the Lord Advocate, IV Lord Advocate Preston Grange, The Advocate, Advocate

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-the-lord-advocate

## Who they are

Scotland's Lord Advocate, a powerful Whig who wields friendship like a net, offering David discretion and favors while quietly arranging his fate.

## In the story

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

Key legal authority in the Appin murder case.

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

The powerful Lord Advocate who interrogates David about his involvement with Alan Breck and the Appin murder.

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

The Lord Advocate, Grant of Prestongrange, is the official to whom James More is brought; David plans to visit him.

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

Mentioned as the authority David plans to call on to give himself up; Stewart warns against revealing their association.

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

The recipient of the letter of introduction; David seeks an audience with him regarding the Appin murder.

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

Prestongrange is initially dismissive but becomes grave when David insists on testifying; he argues the case is political and tries to suppress David's evidence.

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

Brings David into his home and introduces him to his daughters and sister.

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

Observes the confrontation between David and Fraser; later commends David's fortitude and invites him to meet his daughters.

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

Prestongrange informs David of the acceptance of his testimony and attempts to coax information about Alan Breck from him.

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

Prestongrange is revealed to have made a mockery of David, pretending to accept his testimony while secretly conspiring with Symon Fraser and the Duke. He is implicated in the plan to kidnap David.

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

David considers going to Prestongrange to make a full submission and end his troubles.

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

Implied as one of the architects of David's capture, having agreed on an 'expedient' with Fraser.

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

Mentioned by David as the likely authority behind his secret imprisonment.

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

Sends David a threatening note promising reward for discretion; observed in church reacting to David's arrival.

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

Meets David privately; acknowledges the memorial's danger to himself; admits he spared David's life and now seeks David's help in return.

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

Travels with David to Glasgow, informs him of Catriona's prison break and her imprisonment, and tests David's loyalty.

### [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)

Mentioned as having been persuaded by Catriona and Miss Grant to release Catriona and handle the political situation.

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

David is grateful for his fatherly attention; he arranged for Catriona to be kept private with the Gregorys and used her as an instrument.

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

Referenced by James More as a 'false-face' who entrapped him.

## Links

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