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TL;DR: In 1751, seventeen-year-old David Balfour is cheated by his miserly uncle Ebenezer, who has him kidnapped and shipped off to be sold as a servant. After a shipwreck, David teams up with the bold Highland rebel Alan Breck Stewart, and the two flee across the Scottish Highlands after a murder they are blamed for, until David finally wins back his inheritance.
Table of Contents
Kidnapped at a Glance
| Author | Robert Louis Stevenson |
| First published | 1886 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want a fast, classic adventure about friendship and survival |
Kidnapped is a historical adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, published in 1886. It is set after the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is based partly on a real murder, the Appin Murder of 1752. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes fights, a shipboard murder and a shooting.
Main Characters
- David Balfour: A young, honest Lowland Scot and the narrator.
- Alan Breck Stewart: A proud, brave Highland Jacobite who becomes David's friend.
- Ebenezer Balfour: David's greedy, cowardly uncle.
- Captain Hoseason: The captain of the ship Covenant, paid to kidnap David.
- Mr. Rankeillor: A lawyer who helps David claim his rights.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The House of Shaws
After his father dies, David walks to the House of Shaws, home of his uncle Ebenezer. The house is half-built and gloomy, and Ebenezer is suspicious and mean. He sends David up a dark tower stair that ends in a sudden drop, clearly hoping he will fall to his death. David survives and realizes his uncle wants him gone.
Kidnapped at sea
Ebenezer tricks David into visiting the ship Covenant, where he is knocked out and carried off. He is to be sold as a servant in the Carolinas. On board, David sees a cabin boy killed by the drunken first mate. Then the ship runs down a small boat, and the only survivor is Alan Breck Stewart, a Jacobite carrying gold for his exiled chief.
Fighting together
The crew plans to rob and kill Alan. David warns him, and the two hold the roundhouse against the sailors in a fierce fight, which seals their friendship. The Covenant later wrecks off the coast of Mull, and David is washed ashore on a tiny islet, which he discovers at low tide is not even an island.
The flight in the heather
David crosses the Highlands and witnesses the shooting of Colin Campbell, the “Red Fox,” a government agent. He and Alan are suspected of the murder and must flee. They hide among rocks, cross moors, shelter with the outlaw chief Cluny Macpherson and quarrel bitterly when David is exhausted and Alan gambles away their money. They make up and continue south.
The inheritance
Back in the Lowlands, David meets the lawyer Mr. Rankeillor, who confirms that David's father was the elder brother and that the estate belongs to David. Alan tricks Ebenezer into confessing that he paid to have David kidnapped. Ebenezer agrees to pay David a large share of the income. David and Alan part sadly, and David sets out to help clear Alan's kinsman of the murder.
5 Key Takeaways
- True friendship can cross deep political and cultural divides.
- Honesty and courage can win out over greed.
- Pride can damage even the strongest bond.
- Growing up means facing danger and making hard choices.
- Loyalty is tested most in hardship.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Two very different people can become each other's best ally.
- Apologizing can take more courage than fighting.
- What we inherit matters less than how we act.
Who Should Read Kidnapped?
Read Kidnapped if you love classic adventure, Scottish history or stories about friendship under pressure. It suits readers from about 11 up.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Kidnapped:
- Why do David and Alan become friends despite their differences?
- What does the quarrel on the moors reveal about each of them?
- Is Ebenezer punished enough?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Kidnapped is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Kidnapped, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is short, exciting and full of memorable scenes, and David and Alan are one of literature's great odd couples. The Scots dialect can be tricky at first, but it adds flavor and gets easier quickly.
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What to Read Next
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson: another classic sea adventure
- Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson: the sequel to Kidnapped
- The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan: a chase across Scotland
Related: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kidnapped about?
A young man is kidnapped by his uncle's plotting and escapes across the Highlands with a Jacobite friend.
Who wrote Kidnapped?
Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island.
When is it set?
In 1751, after the Jacobite rising of 1745.
Who kills the Red Fox?
The book never says. David and Alan are wrongly suspected.
Is it based on a true story?
Partly. The Appin Murder of 1752 was real.
Is there a sequel?
Yes, Catriona (1893), also called David Balfour.
What age is it for?
About 11 and up.
Who is Alan Breck Stewart?
A Highland Jacobite and soldier, based loosely on a real man.
How long is it?
About 250 pages.
What is the House of Shaws?
David's family estate, run by his miserly uncle Ebenezer.
Is Kidnapped worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a fast, classic adventure about friendship and survival. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.