He was the son of Geoffrey de Rotyngton (Ruddington),[1] a minor land-owner in Nottinghamshire.
His consecration was delayed because he was in Rome attempting to gain the more prestigious bishopric of Glasgow by opposing the election of Nicholas de Moffat.
In this he evidently failed, and was consecrated as Bishop of Dunblane sometime between 22 August 1259 and 1 September 1260.
Although Robert spent much time in England, he tried to continue the attempts of his predecessor Clement to reinvigorate the bishopric of Dunblane.
He was once appointed a papal judge-delegate in 1275, and twice served as an ambassador for King Alexander III of Scotland in England (both in 1279).