Glencoe, in the Western Highlands of Scotland, is one of the most serene places in the British Isles. The valley is buttressed by soaring peaks reflecting off the shore of Loch Leven granting the modern traveler a comforting feeling of tranquility. But the events of a February night in 1692 taint this glen with an eerie sense of horror. Here, Brian Hughes tells us about the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe.
After the Massacre of Glencoe by Peter Graham, 1889.
O 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 of MacDonald
The Corries, The Massacre of Glencoe.
Scottish history is especially marked by tragedy, slaughter, and violence. From the arrival of the Roman Legions to Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s ill fated attempt to recover the throne of his father in the 1745 Uprising. With no shortage of extreme violence it is a wonder that this particular event receives a greater degree of notoriety. The reality is all too disturbing in that this government sanctioned massacre was in fact murder under trust. For almost two weeks soldiers ate, drank, exchanged stories, and played games with the men, women and children who agreed to quarter them in accordance with the sacred laws of hospitality so prevalent in Scottish Highland culture. To betray this was a mortal sin. In a horrific display of treachery, soldiers of the Earl of Argyll’s Regiment of Foot who then were billeted in settlements running up and down the glen began to ruthlessly butcher their hosts as per the orders of their commanding officers. The people of Glencoe were victims of a maniacal political plot designed to efficiently instill fear and command obedience of the often problematic clans. The Massacre of Glencoe contributed significantly to a new wave of Jacobitism greatly affecting British politics for the next half of the century. To this day the massacre is commemorated in Glencoe, where small crowds gather around an evocative monument honoring the victims who were killed in cold blood in their homes and beds whilst a February blizzard howled.
Prelude
In 1692 Glencoe was inhabited by a branch of Clan Donald. Control of the glen was granted to the MacDonalds following Robert the Bruce’s victory at Bannockburn in 1314. For centuries Clan Donald ruled a maritime empire encompassing the Hebrides and other Western Isles in addition to a significant portion of the mainland. Over the years Clan Donald’s preeminence as the most powerful clan within the Western Highlands and Isles had been waning. The Macdonalds of Glencoe were a rather impoverished sept, often resorting to raiding against their wealthier neighbors as a means of survival. They were regarded by many as a persistent nuisance especially by the Campbells in nearby Argyll.
The current Chief of the Glencoe Macdonals was Alisdair Ruadh MacIan MacDonald, known to his contemporaries as MacIan, the hereditary title of the chiefs. By now MacIan was an old man believed to have been in his sixties. His people lived in settlements along the River Coe and probably numbered about five hundred.
The 17th century was a tumultuous time in Scotland. The country was nearly torn apart by a series of rebellions, civil wars, and regime changes as the country became drawn increasingly within the orbit of her larger neighbor to the south, England. Following the Glorious Revolution, William of Orange and his wife Mary ousted the last Stuart King James the Second after the decisive Battle of the Boyne in July 1690. With William now King and James in exile, the complex geopolitical landscape of the day shifted drastically as William’s primary concern was the safety and well being of his native Netherlands who was consistently drawn into conflict with a bellicose France under Louis the 14th. Many Highland chiefs including MacIan were supporters of the Stuart cause and currently found themselves in an awkward state of royal allegiance. King William shrewdly deferred to his ministers in both London and Edinburgh, granting them sway in how to best deal with the nettlesome clans, most of whom were eager to assuage prior hostilities. In August of 1691 the government offered the clans exoneration so long as they swear an allegiance to the new King William before the end of the year. Some of the clan chiefs opted to delay their submissions for various reasons, some of whom like MacIan demanded some sort of clarification from James the Second, now in exile.
Although James did eventually consent to the chiefs submitting their oaths, word would not reach MacIan until close to the end of the deadline. On December 31st in a treacherous snowstorm MacIan crossed the mountains to Inverlochy, today Fort William, to declare his allegiance. Informed by the commanding officer John Hill that he was unable to receive MacIan’s compliance, MacIan thus became forced to travel to Inverary in Argyll many days' ride to the south and after the deadline. MacIan was desperate. Likely weeping on behalf of his people his oath was eventually accepted on the 6th of January by Sir Colin Campbell. MacIan then returned to Glencoe, likely assured of safety and government protection. Little did he know that his tardiness would have fatal consequences for himself and his people.
Preparation
For John Dalrypmple, First Earl of Stair, MacIan’s delayed oath was the catalyst he needed to enact a harsh and vindictive policy of capitulation. Unbeknownst to the clans, the Crown now had the necessary impetus for retribution. Despite the fact that certain clans such as the MacDonalds of Glengarry(Cousins of Glencoe) had yet to swear their oaths, the government now had their ideal prey, The MacDonalds of Glencoe.
Glencoe’s terrain makes it a natural fortress but likewise a prison. It can be easily sealed off from a few approaches and with very few men. The MacDonalds were not numerous in eligible fighting men and maintained no fortified keep or castle. They likewise were in the epicenter of Lochaber, a region long associated with particularly troublesome clans.
The man chosen to carry out this macabre task is a curious one. Robert Campbell of Glenlyon was sixty years of age. Poverty-stricken in addition to being an inveterate drunk and gambler, Glenlyon had entered military service as an old man probably as a means to pay off his massive debts. Being well connected to the powerful Clan Campbell, he was able to obtain a commission as Captain of the Duke of Argyll's Regiment of Foot. In 1692 the cream of the army was abroad in Flanders and precious few men were available to pacify troublesome districts such as the Highlands. Glenlyon's command served a dual purpose aside from the orders he would soon receive. Knowing full well that the task of slaying the MacDonalds would invite mass condemnation, the government now had the perfect scapegoat in Glenlyon, a man with seemingly very little to lose. In addition, Clan Campbell and Clan Donald maintained a bitter and famous rivalry that permeated over the centuries. This could simply be spun as yet another brutal incident between rival clans.
At the end of January 1692, two companies of approximately one hundred and twenty men under Glenlyon entered Glencoe. Surely their unexpected approach would have triggered confusion as well as suspicion prompting the MacDonalds to stow away any weapons in their possession. Glenlyon issued quartering papers to John MacDonald, eldest son of MacIan stating that there was no space in the fort at Inverlochy to accommodate his men who were soon to march on MacDonald of Glengarry. Hospitality was a sacred obligation within Highland culture. So much so that it was recognized and practiced even amongst feuding clans. Furthermore, providing billeting for the King's soldiers was often a responsibility of subjects in lieu of taxation. Whether the Fort was at capacity or not remains uncertain but MacIan surely was eager to prove his loyalty to King William. And what better way than to host the King's soldiers.
The people of Glencoe lived in small settlements or townships throughout the Glen from the mouth of Loch Leven to Achtriachtan. Soldiers would likely have been billeted in small groups of three to five in the various crofts and farmhouses. Glenlyon’s choice of quartering is peculiar, inviting speculation that he may or may not have had prior knowledge of the order in which he would be obliged to carry out. Instead of lodging at MacIan’s spacious and well furnished residence at Carnoch, close to Loch Leven, Glenlyon chose instead to reside at Inverrigan, roughly the middlemost of the townships. This would serve as the ideal command post if and when a military operation was to be undertaken. In any case, Glenlyon found himself a frequent guest of MacIan night after night drinking himself almost unconscious. The soldiers similarly enjoyed what little offerings the people of Glencoe provided in the midst of winter. For almost two weeks the soldiers drilled and would spend their leisure hours sharing food and drink with their hosts, who otherwise may have been seen as enemies.
Orders arrive
On the 12th of February orders had arrived from Major Duncanson to Glenlyon as he sat playing cards with two of MacIan’s sons(MacIan’s youngest son Alasdair Og was married to Glenlyon’s neice) when the grim order arrived.
You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebells, the McDonalds of Glenco, and put all to the sword under seventy. you are to have a speciall care that the old Fox and his sones doe upon no account escape your hands, you are to secure all the avenues that no man escape. This you are to putt in execution attfyve of the clock precisely; and by that time, or very shortly after it, I’ll strive to be att you with a stronger party: if I doe not come to you att fyve, you are not to tarry for me, but to fall on. This is by the Kings speciall command, for the good & safety of the Country, that these miscreants be cutt off root and branch. See that this be putt in execution without feud or favour, else you may expect to be dealt with as one not true to King nor Government, nor a man fitt to carry Commissione in the Kings service. Expecting you will not faill in the full-filling hereof, as you love your selfe, I subscribe these with my hand att Balicholis Feb: 12, 1692.
Glenlyon proceeded to dismiss himself from his guests without giving away the slightest suspicion. He declared that he and his command were at once to march against Glengarry and that there was much to be done.
As the tell tale signs of a blizzard swelled in the skies above Glencoe orders began to be discreetly passed down to the soldiers informing them of their orders. It is widely assumed that the Highland soldiers within the ranks were horrified upon receiving their orders in which they were obliged to execute. Some stated that they bore no transgressions upon meeting the MacDonalds in a fair fight but objected to the simple and horrifying truth admitting that their task was nothing more than murder.
Massacre
As the early winter darkness began to set in and the inhabitants of Glencoe retired to their crofts, a ferocious blizzard swept through the valley. This was no night to be in the elements, but for the first time in two weeks an immense amount of activity stirred the glen. The soldiers were out and about cleaning their weapons while others fixed bayonets. More than one sentry stood guard at the various outposts talking amongst themselves. For Alasdair Og this was too much. Already skeptical, he soon ventured from his warm quarters to MacIan’s home describing with ardent concern his suspicions to his father. MacIan, doubtful of his son's concerns, dismissed him but gave him permission to further investigate. This he did, arriving at Glenlyon’s headquarters at Inverrigan there finding the Captain awake and loading his pistols. Expressing his concerns, Alasdair demanded to know why so many soldiers were out and about at a most abnormal hour and in such ghastly conditions. Glenlyon proceeded to ease Alasdair’s reservations by once again explaining his false orders to march on Glengarry and stating would he really intend harm on the family of his niece? While not wholly satisfied, Glenlyon's explanation was enough for Alasdair as he returned home. But unbeknownst to him in the very house in which he had exited, nine inhabitants sat bound and gagged as the hour of five which would greenlight the massacre had not yet arrived.
The first killings probably appeared near Invercoe, where the River Coe meets Loch Leven. Nearby at MacIan’s home in Carnoch a small group of soldiers under Lieutenant Lindsay knocked on the door asking to see MacIan stating that they intended to be off soon and wanted to thank him for his hospitality. A servant soon roused MacIan explaining the situation. Not forgetting his manners, MacIan instructed the servant to bring a dram to the soldiers as he began to rise from his bed and dress. Suddenly the soldiers forced into the house and through the door firing two shots into MacIan with the killing blow passing through his head.(This was probably fired by Lindsay) Shortly thereafter his home was looted of valuables as the savage band left. All throughout the glen small fire teams went from house to house shooting and butchering their former hosts, scattering livestock, and torching structures in a coordinated yet barbaric effort. It is said that the Lowland soldiers took particular pride in their grizzly task having not a care for Highland culture as they proceeded to violate the sanctified practice of hospitality. Many in Glencoe would have been prematurely awakened by the musket fire and thought it wise to escape into the nearby hills even without proper clothing or provisions being completely at the mercy of the elements. Both of MacIan’s sons John and Alasdair in fact escaped the slaughter, likely leading many of the refugees away from harm.
When it was over, it is said that thirty eight people of Glencoe lay dead. Although many more probably succumbed to the elements, this number remains rather small in proportion to the quantity of people within Glencoe. Also, the reinforcements from Duncanson and Hamilton arrived late, failing to seal off the exits to the glen thus enabling many more to escape. Were Duncanson and Hamilton similar victims of the weather? Or, did they purposefully delay in order to escape culpability of their dreaded order? Whatever the questions it matters not as MacIan was dead while his house and villages to which he lorded appeared burned and derelict at the first light of dawn, and his people now dead or displaced from their homes had fled to the braes.
Aftermath
It was not long before word began to spread of the horrid butchering. Many were quick to blame the Campbells for this breach in Highland trust with some believing this to be true even in the present day, but this was no unique crime of Clan Campbell. The MacDonalds of Glencoe had been made examples of in a most gruesome manner, fully sanctioned by King William’s Government. In the end the short term goal of the massacre had been achieved in that many of the Western Highland clans behaved in a less belligerent manner, though they were none the more placated. News of the massacre invoked anger amongst many in Scotland, not only Highlanders. Official commissions of inquiry were launched but ultimately no individuals were indicted. Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, the intended culprit, had passed away in 1696 in Bruge as the Earl of Argyll’s Regiment had soon afterwards been posted to Flanders. Many of the escapees would go on to rebuild their homes and crofts attempting to reclaim some semblance of their old lives. MacIan’s body was found and brought to Eilean Munde, a small island in Loch Leven and the traditional burial site of the Glencoe Chiefs. There he rests to this day, somewhere beneath the soft ground surrounded by the placid waters and soaring peaks of Glencoe.
What do you think of the terrible events in Glencoe in 1692? Let us know below.
Sources
https://digital.nls.uk/scotlandspages/timeline/1692.html
Glencoe: The Story of the Massacre, Prebble John
Glencoe: The Infamous Massacre 1692, Sadler John
