Today is the anniversary of the Glencoe Massacre, an atrocity that still stirs emotion over 330 years later.
After the 1689 Jacobite rising, an official government pardon was offered to any clan who swore an oath to King William by the 1st of January 1692.
After the 1689 Jacobite rising, an official government pardon was offered to any clan who swore an oath to King William by the 1st of January 1692.
Many clan chiefs waited for permission from the exiled King James. By the time that arrived, it was only a few days to the deadline.
MacIain, chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe, arrived in Fort William just in time, to discover that the governor wasn’t authorised to accept
MacIain, chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe, arrived in Fort William just in time, to discover that the governor wasn’t authorised to accept
He was sent another 60 miles to Inveraray, with a letter to explain the honest mistake.
The oath was taken on January 6th & confirmation given that the clan was protected. However, the Scottish government had been looking to make an example and Glencoe was an easy target.
The oath was taken on January 6th & confirmation given that the clan was protected. However, the Scottish government had been looking to make an example and Glencoe was an easy target.
Their oath was struck from the record.
Not long after, 120 soldiers led by Robert Campbell of Glenlyon arrived in Glencoe seeking shelter.
The MacDonalds fed, watered and housed their guests for two weeks while even the soldiers didn't know the real reason they were there.
Not long after, 120 soldiers led by Robert Campbell of Glenlyon arrived in Glencoe seeking shelter.
The MacDonalds fed, watered and housed their guests for two weeks while even the soldiers didn't know the real reason they were there.
Then late on the 12th of February, orders finally arrived. The soldiers were to slaughter the MacDonalds in their beds at 5am the next morning.
Legend says that the sign to start came from Signal Rock, although there's no real evidence for that.
Legend says that the sign to start came from Signal Rock, although there's no real evidence for that.
It's said many soldiers couldn’t face their task, whispering warnings to their hosts, but that wasn’t all of them.
MacIain was the first to be killed along with 37 others before the rest fled into the darkness. With heavy February snow, many may have died from the elements.
MacIain was the first to be killed along with 37 others before the rest fled into the darkness. With heavy February snow, many may have died from the elements.
It wasn’t the scale of the Glencoe Massacre that shocked people, but the betrayal of those who lived with their victims for a fortnight.
Eventually, a public enquiry was ordered, but those who signed the orders like John Dalrymple escaped without punishment.
Eventually, a public enquiry was ordered, but those who signed the orders like John Dalrymple escaped without punishment.
There's no denying that Glencoe is one of Scotland's most beautiful locations, but it's important to remember that there's a truly tragic tale behind the scenery.
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