The maciains of clan macdonald had lived in glencoe for hundreds of years. The massacre of glencoe researched and written by jimmy. As mentioned, i was under the impression that it was mainly a clan feud. See all 12 the glencoe massacre monument tours on tripadvisor. Feb 12, 2012 the glencoe massacres 320yearold curse on my name people called campbell still get a bad press despite all that my clan has given to the world anguspeter campbell. The story of the massacre by john prebble goodreads. Archaeology and history enthusiasts are being encouraged to dig deep into the massacre of glencoe.
James robertson justice in the massacre of glencoe. The commander of the government forces sent to glen coe was captain robert campbell. Aug, 2019 the glencoe massacre of 1692 is infamous in scottish history, but many macdonalds survived and reoccupied the townships of the glen, including achtriochtan, alexander said. Sep 21, 2009 documentary telling the story of the glencoe massacre. But with the national trust for scotland, which today owns much of the glen, preparing to launch a new. In 1691, king william the third, recognising the resurgence of the jacobite cause, ordered all the clan chiefs to sign an oath of allegiance by 1st january 1692. Glencoe by douglas alexander stewart famous poems, famous. Lost village found at site of most infamous clan massacre. Narrated by actor james bryce, one of scotlands top story tellers, the massacre of glencoe was researched and written by jimmy powdrell campbell. O, cruel was the snow that sweeps glencoe and covers the grave o donald o, cruel was the foe that raped glencoe and murdered the house of macdonald 2.
In the stark light of reality, we now know enough about this massacre to know that the traditional clan rivalries have served only to obscure the real story behind the horror of glencoe. The bond of trust, even among enemies which had helped people survive in the wild highlands was broken for good, it was the beginning of the end. In scotland, murder has always been a dreadful crime but there is a worse crime in the highlands, much worse. The glencoe massacre its a complicated story of clan enmity, politics and betrayal but heres the bare bones of the story. Oh cruel is the snow that sweeps glencoe and covers the grave o donald and cruel was the foe that raped glencoe and murdered the house o macdonald chorus. An audio cassette of this story was produced in 1992 by scotland talking and the preceding account of the massacre is essentially a copy of the script for that production. This detailed account of the tragedy of glencoe is in reality vol. Read up about the massacre before the visit shocking story of betrayal and disregard for human life spine chilling what happened to these poor hospitable highlanders.
Glencoe the massacre and the magical landscape travel. The contemplators short history of the glen coe massacre. With james robertson justice, andrew crawford, william dysart, david orr. The massacre of glencoe was not the bloodiest, not the most treacherous act in the history of the highlands. The glencoe massacres 320yearold curse on my name uk.
The massacre began simultaneously in three settlements along the gleninvercoe, inverrigan, and achnaconalthough the killing took place all. It was used as a subject by thomas campbell and george gilfillan, whose main claim to modern literary fame is his sponsorship of william mcgonagall, allegedly the worst poet in british history. The infamy of the massacre of glencoe is not so much in the numbers killed, but in the way it was carried out. In 1692, government troops, loyal to king william, killed 38 macdonalds, after having accepted the hospitality of. The paper served as a mandate for one of the most infamous events in the nations past. The macdonalds were attacked on the night of february, 1692. But glencoe is also remembered for a story of clan betrayal that led to a tragic and bloody glencoe massacre in 1692. The glencoe massacre monument glencoe village 2020 all. We recommend booking the glencoe massacre monument tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The glencoe massacre s 320yearold curse on my name people called campbell still get a bad press despite all that my clan has given to the world anguspeter campbell. This is portrayed as an attempt by the new protestant monarch to cow all the obstinate highland clans through a calculated act of political violence. Experts search for the site of the 1692 glencoe massacre. In 1692, government troops, loyal to king william, killed 38 macdonalds, after having accepted the hospitality of the men they would murder.
Its known for its magical landscape, which has made it a popular filming location for movies such as harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban, rob roy, and highlander. The village is on the site of the massacre of glencoe in 1692, in which 38 members of the clan macdonald of glencoe were killed by forces acting on behalf of the government of king william iii following the glorious revolution the village occupies an area of the glen known as carnoch. Archaeologists are surveying the area of glencoe, scotland to find clues into the massacre of february, 1692. Archaeologists trace lost settlements of 1692 glencoe. Archaeologists in scotland are to bring alive the human story of the glencoe massacre, one of the most violent episodes in british history. May 11, 2019 archaeology and history enthusiasts are being encouraged to dig deep into the massacre of glencoe. In the early hours of th february 1692, 38 men, women and children of the clan macdonald were slaughtered in their homes. I of a trilogy of scottish tragedies by the same author. On that day, during a snow blizzard, soldiers in three settlements massacred dozens. However, they serve to demonstrate how the glencoe massacre has wormed its way into scottish national consciousness. Oh cruel is the snow that sweeps glencoe, and covers the grave of donald.
The corries the massacre of glencoe lyrics genius lyrics. The glen coe massacre the background music is ballad of glen coe sequenced by john renfro davis. History of glencoe the first historical figure connected with glencoe was fingal, one of the greatest celtic heroes and leader of the feinn, warriors of gaelic mythology. That there was brutal cruelty and a breach of every kind of rule about highland hospitality is not in any doubt. The macdonalds, honouring the highland hospitality code, duly gave. Mar 26, 2018 archaeologists are surveying the area of glencoe, scotland to find clues into the massacre of february, 1692. The story of the glencoe massacre is one every british person knows. Mapping a massacre for old times sake ancient origins. The massacre of the glencoe macdonalds by government troops in 1692 took place during a blizzard in the depths of winter. It was this act of treachery in response to hospitality that makes this massacre such a heinous crime. Glencoe was a popular topic with 19th century poets, the bestknown work being sir walter scotts massacre of glencoe. They came from fort william with murder in mind the campbell had orders king william had signed put all to the sword these words underlined and leave none alive called macdonald chorus. Oct 24, 2019 an audio cassette of this story was produced in 1992 by scotland talking and the preceding account of the massacre is essentially a copy of the script for that production. The massacre of glencoe they came in a blizzard, we.
This memorial to the massacre at glencoe is tucked away, and is an evocative reminder of the treachery against clan macdonald. The true story of the greatest scottish clan feud ever. This document contains the order for one of the most infamous acts in scotlands history the massacre in glencoe. The interactive scottish history site of bbc online. May 10, 2015 the massacre of glencoe was not the bloodiest, not the most treacherous act in the history of the highlands. It was an official act of murder, approved by the king, led by a scottish commanderinchief and executed by a regiment of the british army. Mar 19, 2018 the massacre of the glencoe macdonalds by government troops in 1692 took place during a blizzard in the depths of winter. That it was the settling of an ancient score by the campbells against their sworn enemies the macdonalds is total fiction. In primary schools children were taught that the macdonalds of glencoe were massacred by the campbells, a neighbouring clan who had an ancient animosity towards the macdonalds. One of the most infamous episodes in scottish history the 1692 massacre of the highland clan macdonald at glencoe by troops who had. The massacre at glencoe was part of the repercussions of the glorious revolution of 1688. If you are ever fortunate enough to be driving through glencoe, pull over in a quiet spot there are many of them get out of the car, have a look around you, and just listen.
The village occupies an area of the glen known as carnoch. Glencoe massacre order jacobites exhibition national. Massacre of glencoe, february, 1692, in scottish history, the treacherous slaughter of members of the macdonald clan of glencoe by soldiers under. This is the story of the plot to massacre clan macdonald in scotland in february 1692 by king william. Cruel was the foe that raped glencoe, and murdered the house of ma. The monument to the fallen macdonalds is situated in the glencoe village, and maciain was buried on the island of eilean munde, in loch leven. The glen was his legendary home and his memory is preserved in a number of place names, for example sgor nam fiannaidh rock of the feinn. One story concerns the stone shown below, which stands at glencoe, and is today known as the henderson stone, after the maceanruig or henderson clan that. The signed order for the massacre of glencoe led to one of the darkest episodes in scottish history. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebels, the macdonalds of glencoe. The glencoe massacre of 1692 is infamous in scottish history, but many macdonalds survived and reoccupied the townships of the glen, including achtriochtan, alexander said.
Massacre of glencoe, february, 1692, in scottish history, the treacherous slaughter of members of the macdonald clan of glencoe by soldiers under archibald campbell, 10th earl of argyll. Three former settlements in the magnificent glencoe region in the west coast of scotland, which are managed by national trust for scotland, have been surveyed with more detailed studies due to follow. Glen coe had been home to the macdonalds since at least the early 14th. But what caused it and who was blamed by history for the tragic events in. Being a member of clan donald i have heard of the campbells and macdonalds historical rivalry. World, glencoe massacre 1692, glencoe massacre, 1692 publisher london. Many scottish clans had remained loyal to king james ii after he was replaced on the english and scottish thrones by william iii in 1689. Archaeologists trace lost settlements of 1692 glencoe massacre. The glencoe massacre, probably the most infamous and shameful episode in scottish history, has led to ill feeling between two scottish clans for hundreds of years. Glencoe is a village located in the scottish highlands about 90 miles north of glasgow. Although the macdonalds of glen coe intended to do so, they delayed leaving until the 30th. Glencoe was the scence of one of the most infamous massacres in scottish history, 324 years ago to the day tomorrow.
The massacre on 1 february 1692, two companies of redcoated government soldiers about 120 men, of whom only around a dozen were campbells were sent to glen coe. It helps peel back the legends and expands on references to the massacre of glencoe for anyone who knows or has an interest in scottish history. The story of the massacre believes the events can be understood only within a knowledge of the highlanders resistance to an alien southern government. In august 1691 the government offered an indemnity to all chiefs. Head up the main street of the village of glencoe and park on the left just before you go over the stone bridge. The slaughter happened in february 1692, when troops billeted with clan macdonald of glencoe. Narrated by actor james bryce, one of scotlands top storytellers, the massacre of glencoe was researched and written by jimmy powdrell campbell. The order for the massacre of the macdonalds at glencoe, 1692. The campbells of argyll and the macdonalds of glencoe glencoe is a gash in the western highlands had for years feuded with each other, raiding, stealing, murdering, but the attack of the. This incident is referred to as the massacre of glencoe, or in scottish gaelic, mort ghlinne comhann murder of glen coe. The massacre began simultaneously in three settlements along the gleninvercoe, inverrigan, and achnaconalthough the killing took place all over the glen as fleeing macdonalds were pursued. Documentary telling the story of the glencoe massacre.
The village is on the site of the massacre of glencoe in 1692, in which 38 members of the clan macdonald of glencoe were killed by forces acting on behalf of the government of king william iii following the glorious revolution. Following the suppression of the first jacobite uprising, king william offered pardons to jacobite clan chiefs, provided they swore allegiance to him by december 31, 1691. The soldiers arrived at glen coe 12 days before the massacre, as friends, seeking shelter due to the fact that the fort was full. Thats why the massacre of glencoe has reverberated so strongly in scottish history.