William Buccleigh MacKenzie, a character from Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series, is a time traveler and the illegitimate son of Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan. He was born in the 18th century but later sent through the stones to the 20th century to save him from the dangers of his time.
In the “Outlander” series, William Buccleigh MacKenzie’s fate is intertwined with the time-traveling elements that define the story. Born in the 18th century, he is the product of a liaison between Dougal MacKenzie, the war chieftain of Clan MacKenzie, and Geillis Duncan, a woman later revealed to be a fellow time traveler. William Buccleigh’s existence is kept secret due to the scandal it would cause, as both his parents are involved with other people.
As a grown man, William Buccleigh, often referred to as Buck, encounters the series’ main characters, Jamie and Claire Fraser. His life takes a dramatic turn when he inadvertently travels through the standing stones, a method of time travel in the “Outlander” universe. He finds himself in the 20th century, a time and place completely foreign to him.
Struggling to adapt, William Buccleigh’s life in the 20th century is marked by his efforts to find a place for himself while grappling with the loss of his 18th-century life. His journey is complicated by the fact that he has a family in the past, including a son, Roger MacKenzie, who is also a time traveler and a central character in the series.
The complexities of William Buccleigh’s life highlight the broader themes of “Outlander,” such as the impact of time travel on personal identity and relationships, and the ways in which people are shaped by the times in which they live. His character adds depth to the series’ exploration of the connections between past and present, and the enduring bonds of family across time.