Charles III
85-680: The Massacre of Glencoe took place in Glen Coe in the Highlands of Scotland on 13 February 1692. An estimated 30 members and associates of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe , including two children, were killed by Government forces who had stayed as guests of the MacDonalds, allegedly for failing to pledge allegiance to the new monarchs, William III and Mary II . By May 1690, the Jacobite rising of 1689 had largely been suppressed, but unrest in
170-713: A supporting campaign in Scotland . Victory over a government army at Killiecrankie on 27 July cost the lives of Dundee and 600 Highlanders, while organised Jacobite military resistance largely ended after Cromdale in May 1690. However, many remote Highland areas remained out of government hands, and policing them used resources needed for the Nine Years' War in Flanders . In addition, close links between Western Scotland and Ulster meant unrest in one country often spilled into
255-564: A Decree of Forfeiture in 1690, depriving Glengarry of his lands, but he continued to hold Invergarry Castle , whose garrison included the senior Jacobite officers Alexander Cannon and Thomas Buchan . This suggests the Episcopalian Glencoe MacDonalds only replaced the Catholic Glengarry as the target on 11 January; MacIain's son John MacDonald told the 1695 Commission the soldiers came to Glencoe from
340-752: A Macdonald in memory of clansmen who perished in the massacre. Glen Coe was once part of the lands of Clan Donald , though since the ending of the clan structure they progressively sold off their estates. Excavations in 2018-2020 conducted by the National Trust for Scotland have investigated the settlement of Achtriochtan and a reconstruction 'turf-house' was constructed at the NTS visitor centre to allow visitors to experience life in these townships. Further excavations and surveys in 2021-2022 in Gleann Leac-na-Muidhe, directed by Dr Edward Stewart of
425-451: A capital offence and treason, it was an awkward weapon with which to attack Stair, since William himself signed the orders, and the intent was widely known in government circles. The Commission instead considered whether participants had exceeded orders, not their legality, and concluded Stair and Hamilton had a case to answer, but left the decision to William. While Stair was dismissed as Secretary of State, he returned to government in 1700 and
510-455: A complex Y-shaped hill with several lesser tops, including Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1,072 m) which also has Munro status. One way in to these tops ascends from the Pass of Glen Coe up Coire Gabhail (the "hidden valley") to the ridge. Both Buachaille Etive Beag (958 m) and Buachaille Etive Mòr (1,022 m) also offer opportunities to hillwalkers. Many walkers come to Glen Coe on
595-465: A condition they knew was impossible. A document granting his approval was sent from Saint-Germain on 12 December and received by Glengarry on 23 December, who did not share it until 28th. While his reasons for the delay are unclear, one suggestion attributes it to an internal power struggle between Episcopalian MacDonalds like Glencoe, and the Catholic minority headed by Glengarry. As a result, it
680-482: A great noise. The motivation for investigating the affair was largely political; having served in the old and new regimes, Stair was unpopular with supporters of both. In the debate that followed, Colonel Hill claimed most Highlanders were peaceful, and even in Lochaber, a single person may travell safley where he will witout harme. He argued lawlessness was deliberately encouraged by leaders like Glengarry, while
765-608: A mockery of Scotland's heritage. Since 2017 Glen Coe has been designated as a national nature reserve (NNR), and is classified as a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature . Glen Coe is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the south side of the glen falls within the Glen Etive and Glen Fyne Special Protection Area (SPA). The scenic beauty of
850-519: A successful eleventh-hour bid, and purchased the remaining lands of Lord Strathcona from his descendants. Alistair received unsecured loans from just six donors, and immediately set up the Glencoe Heritage Trust, a non-profit-making charitable trust, to secure the heritage of this part of Glen Coe. In 2017, NTS took out a trademark on the "Glencoe" name following an attempt to trademark the name of another NTS property ( St Kilda ) by
935-474: A third party without their knowledge or consent. The Trust stated that it would not prevent local businesses from continuing to use the name; however, they were accused of heavy-handedness when an attempt was made to stop Hilltrek, a company based in Aberdeenshire , from selling a "Glencoe" waterproof jacket. The dispute ended amicably with NTS agreeing to allow Hilltrek to continue to sell the jacket with
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#17327795185481020-584: A true Account of the De Witting of Glencoe, Gaffney . Written by Jacobite activist Charles Leslie , it focused on William's alleged complicity in the 1672 death of Johan de Witt , with Glencoe and other crimes as secondary charges. A Commission was set up to determine whether there was a case to answer under 'Slaughter under trust', a Scottish act introduced in 1587 to reduce endemic feuding. The law applied to murder committed in "cold-blood", when articles of surrender had been agreed, or hospitality accepted. It
1105-457: Is a glen of volcanic origins, in the Highlands of Scotland . It lies in the north of the county of Argyll , close to the border with the historic province of Lochaber , within the modern council area of Highland . Glen Coe is regarded as the home of Scottish mountaineering and is popular with hillwalkers and climbers. A 2010 review by Scottish Natural Heritage into the special qualities of Scotland's National scenic areas listed
1190-506: Is famous for the quality, and variety of its winter climbing , most of its routes being comparatively easy to access from the main road. Noted climbing venues include Buachaille Etive Mòr (1,018 m), often called simply "The Beuchle", and various routes on the Three Sisters (shoulders of Bidean nam Bian). Other points of interest include the waterfalls at The Study in the Pass of Glen Coe. For adventurous experienced hillwalkers
1275-592: Is marked by a succession of distinct peaks: Buachaille Etive Beag at the eastern end, followed by the Three Sisters , shoulders of the Bidean nam Bian massif which are subdivided by Coire Gabhail and Coire nan Lochan. The name Coire Gabhail ( corrie of the bounty , or hollow of capture ) refers to former times when the corrie was used by members of Clan MacDonald to hide cattle and other livestock, whether their own or stolen from others. The wide flat glen
1360-515: Is to the south-east. The famous Clachaig Inn , a pub much favoured by climbers and hillwalkers, is sited at the bend in the glen about 3 km (1.9 mi) from Glencoe village. A Scottish Youth Hostels Association hostel is sited about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the village, on the way to the inn, close to an independent hostel (Glencoe Independent Hostel) and the Red Squirrel campsite. The Kings House Hotel , lying about 2 km to
1445-519: Is well suited for this purpose since from Glen Coe it appears to be a normal v-shaped glen approached only by a steep narrow gorge. Summits in the Bidean nam Bian massif include Stob Coire Sgreamhach , Stob Coire nan Lochan and Aonach Dubh (the third "sister"). By contrast the north side of the glen is a stark wall of mountain, the Aonach Eagach ridge. The ridge is crossed at the eastern end by
1530-479: The Aonach Eagach offers one of the finest mainland scrambles in Scotland. This extended scramble boasts two of Scotland's trickiest Munro hills, Sgorr nam Fiannaidh (996 m [3,268 ft]) and Meall Dearg (951 m [3,120 ft]). The Aonach Eagach ridge terminates at the Pap of Glencoe (741 m [2,431 ft]). There are also routes on the Bidean nam Bian (1,150 m) massif which forms
1615-728: The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform told the Scottish Parliament that the Government had no plans to designate new national parks in Scotland and instead planned to focus on the two existing national parks. Glen Coe is a very popular tourist destination, partly because of its scenic qualities and historical associations, partly because it is on the main road north (the A82 ), and also because of its attraction for walkers and climbers. It
1700-935: The Conventicles in 1678–80. They also took part in the raid led by the Marquess of Atholl that followed Argyll's Rising in 1685. Primarily directed against Lowland migrants settled in Cowal and Kintyre , Atholl's raid destabilised large parts of the central and southern Highlands. In September 1688, James VII outlawed the Keppoch MacDonalds, shortly before he was deposed by the November 1688 Glorious Revolution . In March 1689, James landed in Ireland in an attempt to regain his kingdoms, with Camerons and Keppoch MacDonalds among those who joined Viscount Dundee for
1785-531: The Darien scheme . On 12 April 1692, the Paris Gazette published a copy of Glenlyon's orders, allegedly found in an Edinburgh tavern and taken to France. Despite criticism of the government, there was little sympathy for the MacDonalds, Livingstone writing it's not that anyone thinks the thieving tribe did not deserve to be destroyed, but that it should have been done by those quartered amongst them makes
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#17327795185481870-567: The Devil's Staircase , an old military road opposite Buachaille Etive Mòr. The western end terminates with the conical Pap of Glencoe ( Sgùrr na Cìche ), above Glencoe village , at the point where the glen opens out to Loch Leven. Other than a few scattered farms, the only settlement in Glen Coe is the village of Glencoe, which lies at the western end of the glen close to Invercoe where the river joins Loch Leven . About 2 km (1.2 mi) to
1955-514: The Jacobite uprising of 1689, an incident known as the Massacre of Glencoe took place in the glen. Thirty-eight men from Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by government forces who were billeted with them on the grounds that they had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new monarchs, William and Mary . The Glen is named after the River Coe which runs through it. The name of
2040-404: The Jacobite uprising of 1689–92. An estimated thirty-eight members and associates of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by government forces billeted with them, with others later alleged to have died of exposure, on the grounds they had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new monarchs, William III of England and II of Scotland and Mary II . The Iona cross was erected in 1883 by
2125-1218: The James Bond film Skyfall (which was mainly set in Glen Etive ), although the majority of the filming for Bond's Scottish home was in Southern England . There is a folk museum in Glencoe village. Secretary of State (Kingdom of Scotland) William , Duke of Rothesay Swinney government The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP Kate Forbes MSP Sixth session Alison Johnstone MSP Angela Constance MSP Dorothy Bain KC The Rt Hon Lord Carloway KC PC United Kingdom Parliament elections European Parliament elections Local elections Referendums Starmer ministry The Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP The Secretary of Scotland or Lord Secretary
2210-765: The West Highland Way following the old military road over Rannoch Moor which crosses the River Etive at the Kings House Hotel . From there it is about 2 km (1.2 mi) to the head of the glen, then about 2 km into the glen the Way ascends the Devil's Staircase, a steep, boulder-strewn "cut" (352 m high) which is part of the old military road and drove road north across the hills to Kinlochleven . The Glencoe ski centre , also known as
2295-665: The Williamite War in Ireland , and any immediate prospects of a Stuart restoration. On 26 August, the Scottish government issued a Royal Proclamation that offered a pardon to anyone taking the oath prior to 1 January 1692, with severe reprisals for those who did not. Two days later, secret articles began circulating which cancelled the Achallader agreement in the event of a Jacobite invasion. These were allegedly signed by all
2380-463: The "White Corries", is on the hill of Meall a' Bhuiridh (1,108 m [3,635 ft]) which is on the east side of Glen Etive, outside Glen Coe proper. This centre is popular with locals and is used by many skiers from the Glasgow area as the nearest ski resort at under 80 mi (130 km) from the city centre. It forms part of the "Black Mount" estate, which is based on Loch Tulla which
2465-407: The "soaring, dramatic splendour of Glen Coe", and "the suddenness of the transition between high mountain pass and the lightly wooded strath" as being of note. The review also described the journey through the glen on the main A82 road as "one of the classic Highland journeys". The main settlement is the village of Glencoe located at the foot of the glen. On 13 February 1692, in the aftermath of
2550-716: The 1695 Parliamentary minutes reprinted in the Edinburgh Caledonian Mercury . Glencoe then largely disappeared from public knowledge until it was referenced by historian Thomas Macaulay in his 1850 History of England . He sought to exonerate William from every one of Leslie's charges, and is the origin of the claim that the Massacre was simply part of an ongoing feud between the MacDonalds and Clan Campbell . Victorian era Scotland developed values that were both Unionist and Imperialist , while also being uniquely Scottish. Historical divisions meant this
2635-465: The 7th, the intention was to '....destroy entirely the country of Lochaber, Locheal's lands, Kippochs, Glengarrie and Glenco...;' on the 9th, '...their chieftains all being papists , it is well the vengeance falls there; for my part, I regret the MacDonalds had not divided and... Kippoch and Glenco are safe .' The last, on 11 January, states; '...my lord Argile tells me Glenco hath not taken the oaths at which I rejoice....' The Scottish Parliament passed
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2720-591: The Canadian Pacific Railway, owned land near Glencoe and when made a lord, invented the name Strathcona to represent Glencoe. Many places in Canada now bear the name Strathcona after Lord Strathcona. The Pass of Glen Coe was used as the location for "The Bridge of Death" and "The Gorge of Eternal Peril" in filming Monty Python and the Holy Grail , attracting Monty Python pilgrims. Sets for
2805-630: The Clan Donald Society. Initiated in 1930, this is held at the Upper Carnoch memorial, a tapering Celtic cross installed in 1883 at the eastern end of Glencoe village. Another memorial includes the Henderson Stone , a granite boulder south of Carnach, originally known as the 'Soldier's Stone'. In the late 19th century, it was renamed Clach Eanruig , or 'Henry's Stone', after the man reputed to be Piper to MacIain. Glencoe
2890-701: The Glen, in accordance with the Scottish outdoor access code and the principles specified by Percy Unna. However, environmental concerns and increasing pollution of the River Coe in the mid-1990s led to a decision to exclude a specific area and prohibit wild camping within that area. The area is to the east of the Clachaig Hotel , from the River Coe to the Aonach Eagach, and east as far as the junction of
2975-436: The Glencoe name. Hamish MacInnes , veteran of Mount Everest expeditions, climbing consultant for such films as The Eiger Sanction and a mountain rescue pioneer, was a well-known resident of Glencoe. MacInnes developed a new design of mountain rescue stretcher whilst living at Allt-na-reigh cottage near the head of the glen; the cottage later belonged to DJ Jimmy Savile . Following the posthumous revelation that Savile
3060-562: The Highlands consumed military resources needed for the Nine Years' War in Flanders . In late 1690, Jacobite clan leaders agreed to swear an oath of loyalty to William and Mary, in return for a payment totalling £12,000. However, disagreements over how it should be shared among the clans meant by December 1691 none had taken the oath. At this point, Lord Stair , the Scottish Secretary of State decided to make an example of
3145-539: The June 1691 Declaration of Achallader, with John Campbell, Earl of Breadalbane , signing for the government. Crucially, it did not specify how the money was to be divided, and disputes over this delayed the oath. In addition, Breadalbane argued part of it was owed him as compensation for damage done to his estates by the Glencoe MacDonalds. The Battle of Aughrim on 12 July ended Jacobite chances of victory in
3230-540: The King's answers upon them. All Letters Patent passed through his hands, and were drawn up by him as with all the King's letters and dispatches, warrants, orders, &c. In the case of lengthy documents a short docket was also subscribed by the Secretary for the King's perusal, as a summary; and as all the writings signed by the King came through his hands, he was answerable for them if they contained anything derogatory to
3315-497: The MacDonalds as a warning of the consequences for further delay. While others, including the Keppoch MacDonalds , also missed the deadline, the Glencoe MacDonalds appear to have been selected due to a combination of clan politics, and a reputation for lawlessness. While similar events were not unknown in earlier Scottish history, this was no longer the case by 1692, and the brutality of the massacre -- particularly as it
3400-400: The MacDonalds would escape if warned, and emphasises the need for secrecy. This correlates with evidence from James Campbell, one of Glenlyon's company, stating that they had no knowledge of the plan until the morning of 13 February. MacIain was killed, although his two sons escaped, and the 1695 Commission was given various figures for the number of casualties. The often-quoted figure of 38 dead
3485-466: The NTS uncovered further evidence both of the events of the Massacre of Glencoe , and of daily life, subsistence practices and long-distance connections in Glencoe. This site is linked to the settlement of Achnacon, excavated in 2024, by the new Glencoe Greenway Path. Recent work by Lizzie Robertson of the University of Glasgow has explored the creation of soundscapes and audio-installations exploring
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3570-593: The Old Military Road and the modern A82. The exclusion has led to improvements being observed in the river and the Clachaig area. Glencoe is supposed to have been the birthplace of Ossian according to John Cameron (1822–1898), a local bard who was also Bard to the Ossianic Society. "In the middle of the vale runs 'the roaring stream of Cona', the mountain of Malmor rises on the south side, and
3655-579: The Scottish Mountaineering Club. It was later found out that most of the money came from the SMC's then chair, Percy Unna. He laid out a number of conditions, known as the "Unna Principles" regarding how the NTS should manage the estate with regard to access and maintaining the wild nature of the land. The building of a visitor centre caused some controversy, as some felt this to be a contravention of Unna's "Principles". The original centre
3740-425: The University of Glasgow, investigated this shieling landscape, and uncovered features including charcoal burning plaftorms, peat cuttings, shieling huts, a whisky stilling site and a chiefly hunting lodge. The hunting lodge site was investigated in 2023 by a University of Glasgow Field School directed by Dr Stewart. In 2024 excavations around the settlement of Achnacon, co-directed by Dr Stewart and Derek Alexander of
3825-402: The area. After the loch the river turns north-west, passing through Glencoe village , before flowing into the sea loch of Loch Leven (a salt-water arm of Loch Linnhe ) at Invercoe. The area to east of Lochan na Fola is often classed as part of Glen Coe (see for example the location of Glencoe ski centre ), but is in fact part of the upper reaches of Glen Etive . The south side of the glen
3910-517: The attendees, including Breadalbane, who claimed they had been manufactured by the MacDonald chief Glengarry . Stair's letters now focused on enforcement, reflecting his belief that forged or not, none of the signatories intended to keep their word. In early October, the Jacobite chiefs asked the exiled James II for permission to take the oath unless he could mount an invasion before the deadline,
3995-417: The bed of the River Coe below Loch Achtriochtan. Surrounding the caldera the rocks consists of schist and quartzite with a ring of granite marking the main ring fault. The landscape was further shaped by the processes of glaciation during the last ice ages , ending 10,000 years ago. Habitats within Glen Coe include birch woodland, moorland and peatbogs . The upland parts of the glen are one of
4080-551: The best examples of a subsidence caldera , being the place where this phenomenon was first described. A caldera is a volcanic process in which a circular fault allows a section of crust to sink, leading to magma being forced to the surface at the periphery. This sinking allows layers of rock which would otherwise have been eroded to remain visible, can be seen in Glen Coe most strikingly in Devonian volcanic lavas on Bidean nam Bian, as well as at Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, An t-Sron, and in
4165-451: The best habitats for alpine and sub-alpine plants in Lochaber, due to the underlying geology and range of altitude. Typical plants found on the highest slopes of the glen include lady's mantle , Sibbaldia procumbens and areas of willow scrub and Racomitrium lanuginosum moss-heath. In the lower areas of the glen bog myrtle , cotton grass , butterwort , sundew and bladderwort are to be found. There are areas of wet woodland on
4250-606: The celebrated Dun-Fionn'—'the hill of Fingal' on the north. Several of the names referring either to the heroes of the Fingalian race, or to their general occupation, hunting, are numerous in the district. Sgur-mam-Fiann, 'the mountain of the Fingalians'; Coe, the name of the river is supposed to be the Cona of Ossian; Grianan Dearduil, 'the sunny place of Darthula'; Acha-nan-con, 'the field of the dogs'; Caolas-nan-con, 'the ferry of
4335-517: The complex history, folklore and environment of Glencoe and presenting this to new audiences. These excavations featured in an episode of History Hit, which was launched in November 2024. Most of the Glen is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), whose visitor centre has displays about both the natural and historical significance of the glen. The land was purchased by the National Trust for Scotland in 1935 using money donated by
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#17327795185484420-523: The dogs', and the neighbouring country bear similar traces. Morven is the peculiar name of Fingal's domain; an island in Loch Etive is supposed to be named from Usnoth, the father of Nathos; and Etive itself is named from the deer of its mountains." Ossian's Cave on Bidean nam Bian is traditionally the location of his birth. Sir Donald Smith, high financier and businessman of the Hudson's Bay Company and
4505-474: The east of the head of the glen towards Rannoch Moor, is former a coaching inn , standing on the main route between Ballachulish and Tyndrum (the route of one of William Caulfeild 's military roads ). One can also stay in The Glencoe Inn, located in the heart of Glencoe village. For campers, there are three official campsites in and around the glen. Wild camping is permitted in certain areas of
4590-576: The floor of the glen: the woodlands are composed of alder and ash , and also provide a habitat for ground plants such as tufted hair-grass and marsh hawk's-beard . Glen Coe hosts several nationally scarce species of liverworts and mosses. The peaks of the glen are home to snow bunting and ptarmigan , and the area also supports buzzards and golden eagles . The region also has an abundance of Highland midges , Culicoides impunctatus . The Massacre of Glencoe ( Scottish Gaelic : Mort Ghlinne Comhann ) took place on 13 February 1692, following
4675-459: The glen from the east is below the foot of Buachaille Etive Beag just west of Lochan na Fola, from where waters run west to Loch Leven via the River Coe. The river— Ossian 's "dark Cona" —passes over waterfalls at the Pass of Glen Coe before flowing down to the small Loch Achtriochtan. Loch Achtriochtan is Loch Trychardan ( loch of the three friends or relatives) in Timothy Pont 's map of
4760-473: The glen has led to its inclusion in the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area , being one of 40 such areas in Scotland , which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure their protection from inappropriate development. There have been several proposals for Glen Coe to be included within a national park , mostly recently in 2013. In September 2016 Roseanna Cunningham ,
4845-437: The glen, each containing between six and eleven buildings. In 2018, a team of archaeologists organised by the National Trust for Scotland began surveying several areas related to the massacre, with plans to produce detailed studies of their findings. Work in the summer of 2019 focused on the settlement of Achadh Triachatain, or Achtriachtan, at the extreme end of the glen; home to an estimated 50 people, excavations show it
4930-533: The glen, killing anyone they found, removing property and burning houses. Later that evening, Glenlyon received orders from Duncanson carried by Thomas Drummond, who commanded the Argylls' Grenadier company and was thus Glenlyon's superior. His presence appears to have been to ensure the orders were enforced, since witnesses later claimed he shot two people who asked Glenlyon for mercy. In letters written on 30 January to Hamilton and Hill, Stair expresses concern that
5015-495: The killings had been carried out, then advanced up the glen burning houses and removing livestock. Hamilton was not in position at Kinlochleven until 11:00; his detachment included two lieutenants, Francis Farquhar and Gilbert Kennedy, who often appear in anecdotes claiming they 'broke their swords rather than carry out their orders.' This differs from their testimony to the Commission and is unlikely since they arrived hours after
5100-692: The killings, which were carried out at the opposite end of the glen. In May, fears of a French invasion meant the Argylls were posted to Brentford in England, then Flanders , where they served until the end of the Nine Years' War in 1697 when the regiment was disbanded. No action was taken against those involved; Glenlyon died in Bruges in August 1696, Duncanson was killed in Spain in May 1705, while Drummond survived to take part in another famous Scottish disaster,
5185-554: The laws or the dignity of The Crown. From 1626 until their respective deaths, King Charles I divided the duties between two Secretaries, the Earl of Glencairn and Sir Archibald Achison of Glencairn. The Secretary did not invariably sit in the Parliament of Scotland after 1603, because his duties normally involved his attendance upon the monarch who was thereafter resident in England . Between 1608 and 1640 there were often two Secretaries, which became normal practice after 1680, although only one could sit in Parliament. The office
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#17327795185485270-508: The midle sort of Gentrey and Commons....never got anything but hurt from it. The 1693 Highland Judicial Commission encouraged using the law to resolve issues like cattle theft, but the clan chiefs opposed it as reducing control over their tenants. The issue appeared settled until the English Licensing of the Press Act 1662 expired in May 1695. The result was a huge increase in the number of political pamphlets published in London, among them Gallienus Redivivus, or Murther will out, &c. Being
5355-412: The north '...Glengarry's house being reduced.' The targeting of the Glencoe MacDonalds appears to have been driven by a variety of factors. After two years of negotiations, Stair was under pressure to ensure the deal stuck, while Argyll was competing for political influence with his kinsman Breadalbane, who also found it expedient to concur with the plan. Glengarry managed to eliminate an internal rival,
5440-486: The novels Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies , Corrag (known as Witch Light in paperback) by Susan Fletcher and Lady of the Glen by Jennifer Roberson . William Croft Dickinson references Glencoe in his 1963 short story "The Return of the Native". A Song of Ice and Fire author, George R. R. Martin , cites the Glencoe Massacre as one of two historical influences on the infamous "Red Wedding" in his 2000 book A Storm of Swords . In 1962, Jim McLean wrote
5525-479: The other. Since peace in the Highlands required control of Lochaber, achieving this had wider strategic importance than might appear. After Killiecrankie, the Scottish government tried to negotiate a settlement with the Jacobite chiefs, terms varying based on events in Ireland and Scotland. In March 1690, Secretary of State Lord Stair offered to pay £12,000 in return for their agreement to take an oath of allegiance to William and Mary. The chiefs agreed to do so in
5610-429: The raising of historical statuary.' Even when the study of Scottish history re-emerged in the 1950s, Leslie's writings continued to shape views of William's reign as disastrous for Scotland. The Massacre became one of several incidents used to illustrate this perspective, others including the Darien scheme, the famine of the late 1690s , and the 1707 Union . The Massacre is still commemorated in an annual ceremony by
5695-441: The river may predate the Gaelic language, as its meaning is not known. It is possible that the name stems from an individual personal name, Comhan ( genitive Comhain). The glen is U-shaped , formed by an ice age glacier , about 12.5 kilometres ( 7 + 3 ⁄ 4 mi) long with the floor of the glen being less than 700 metres ( 3 ⁄ 8 mi) wide, narrowing sharply at the "Pass of Glen Coe". The entrance to
5780-464: The song "The Massacre Of Glencoe", which was published under Duart Music. The song was later adapted and performed by The Corries, as well as adapted for the Highland Bagpipes by various artists. In 1972 the Scottish band Nazareth released the song "1692 (Glencoe Massacre)" on their album, Exercises . After the Massacre, the Glencoe MacDonalds rebuilt their homes; a military survey undertaken between 1747 and 1755 shows seven separate settlements along
5865-424: The third Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , were built near to the bottom of Clachaig Gully, north of the Clachaig Inn ; aerial shots of the glen also appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . There are some shots of the eastern glen, including Buachaille Etive Mòr in the Bollywood film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai , and in
5950-425: The west, on the southern shore of the loch, is the village of Ballachulish , known in the past for its slate quarries, which have been worked since 1693. Geologically speaking, Glen Coe is the remains of an ancient supervolcano . The caldera forming eruptions took place about 420 million years ago during the Silurian period, and the volcano has long since become extinct. The glen is considered to be one of
6035-625: Was a child abuser there were calls for the cottage to be demolished, although it remains standing but unoccupied as of February 2018. During the 2020s, several companies started offering the title of "Lord" or "Lady" of Glen Coe to anyone interested online. One such company used the Oscars to advertise themselves by giving away titles of land ownership to such celebrities as Billie Eilish , Benedict Cumberbatch and Jessica Chastain . Such titles, however, do not bestow official nobility or land to buyers. One company, which started operating in 2007, has been accused by several Scotland residents of making
6120-646: Was a largely non-cash society and stayed as guests of the MacDonalds for "over a week." The Glencoe MacDonalds had themselves been similarly billeted on the Campbells when serving with the Highland levies used to police Argyll in 1678. On 12 February, Hill ordered Lieutenant Colonel James Hamilton to take 400 men and block the northern exits from Glencoe at Kinlochleven . Meanwhile, another 400 men under Major Duncanson would join Glenlyon and sweep northwards up
6205-533: Was a popular topic with 19th-century poets, notably Sir Walter Scott 's "Massacre of Glencoe". It was used as a subject by Thomas Campbell and George Gilfillan , as well as by Letitia Elizabeth Landon in her 1823 work "Glencoe", T. S. Eliot 's "Rannoch, by Glencoe" and "Two Poems from Glencoe" by Douglas Stewart . The massacre is alluded in Beethoven's 25 25 Irish songs, WoO 152 . Examples in literature include "The Masks of Purpose" by Eric Linklater , and
6290-630: Was a senior post in the government of the Kingdom of Scotland . The office appeared in the 14th century (or earlier) when it was combined with that of Keeper of the Privy Seal . Called Clericus Regis (although some have applied that to the Lord Clerk Register ), he was regarded as an Officer of State . The Secretary was constantly to attend the King's person, receive the petitions and memorials that were presented to him, and write
6375-582: Was excluded from the indemnity issued by the Scottish Privy Council. Stair's letter of 2 December to Breadalbane shows the decision to make him an example was taken well before the deadline for the oath, originally as a much bigger operation; '...the clan Donell must be rooted out and Lochiel. Leave the McLeans to Argyll...' In January, Stair wrote three letters in quick succession to Sir Thomas Livingstone , military commander in Scotland; on
6460-477: Was first used in 1588 against Lachlan Mor Maclean , whose objections to his mother's second marriage led him to murder his new stepfather, John MacDonald, and 18 members of the wedding party. Interpretation varied, such as in the cases of James MacDonald, who locked his parents in their house before setting it on fire in 1597, and the killing of prisoners after the 1647 Battle of Dunaverty . Both were deemed to have been committed in "hot blood", and thus excluded. As
6545-483: Was in violation of the obligations of hospitality and included the murder of children -- shocked contemporaries. It became a significant element in the persistence of Jacobitism in the Highlands during the first half of the 18th century, and remains a powerful symbol to this day. Some historians argue the late 17th-century Scottish Highlands were more peaceful than often suggested, in part because chiefs could be fined for crimes committed by their clansmen. The exception
6630-505: Was largely expressed through a shared cultural identity, while the teaching of Scottish, rather than British history, virtually disappeared from universities. One modern historian suggests this meant that instead of being analysed as an historical event, Glencoe was incorporated into 'the emotional trappings of the Scottish past...bonnie Scotland of the bens, glens and misty shieling , the Jacobites, Mary, Queen of Scots , tartan mania and
6715-437: Was later closed, and a new one built further west, down the glen on land not part of the original purchase. The last area of Glen Coe to be owned by the MacDonalds was the area around Invercoe. In 1894, Sir Donald A. Smith (who was later, in August 1897, elevated to the peerage as The 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal ) purchased this area and built a country house , Mount Royal. In 2002, Alistair MacDonald of Glencoe made
6800-564: Was made an earl by the last Stuart monarch, Queen Anne . An application by the survivors for compensation was ignored; they rebuilt their houses, and participated in the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite risings. An archaeological survey in 2019 showed Glencoe was occupied until the Highland Clearances of the mid-18th century. The brutality of the Massacre shocked Scottish society and became a Jacobite symbol of post-1688 oppression. In 1745 , Prince Charles ordered Leslie's pamphlet and
6885-513: Was not until 30 December that MacIain of Glencoe left for Fort William to take the oath from its commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Hill. Since he was not authorised to accept it, Hill sent MacIain to Inveraray with a letter for Sir Colin Campbell, the local magistrate. He administered the oath on 6 January, after which MacIain returned home. Glengarry himself did not take the oath until 4 February, while others did so by proxy, but only MacIain
6970-678: Was pardoned and had his lands returned by the Williamite government, while enhancing his reputation with the exiled court in Saint-Germain by being the last to swear. In late January 1692, approximately 120 men from the Earl of Argyll's Regiment of Foot arrived in Glencoe. Their commander was Robert Campbell of Glenlyon , an impoverished local landowner whose niece was married to one of MacIain's sons. Campbell carried orders for 'free quarter', an established alternative to paying taxes in what
7055-428: Was provided by Hamilton's men, who were at the opposite end of the glen from where the killing took place, while the MacDonalds themselves claimed 'the number they knew to be slaine were about 25'. Modern research estimates deaths resulting from the Massacre as 'around 30', while claims others died of exposure cannot be substantiated. Since he arrived two hours late at 7:00 am, Duncanson joined Glenlyon only after most of
7140-538: Was rebuilt after 1692 and still occupied in the mid-18th century. A hoard of coins was found in a house linked to MacIain in August 2023, which archaeologists believe may have been hidden there by a victim of the Massacre. In 2021, a full-size reconstruction of one of the buildings excavated at Achtriachtan was created using traditional techniques and materials at the National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre. Glen Coe Glen Coe ( Scottish Gaelic : Gleann Comhann pronounced [klan̪ˠˈkʰo.ən̪ˠ] )
7225-657: Was the area known as Lochaber , identified as a refuge for cattle raiders and thieves by government officials, other chiefs and Gaelic poets. Four Lochaber clans were consistently named in such accounts: the Glencoe and Keppoch MacDonalds , the MacGregors and the Camerons . Levies from these served in the Independent Highland Companies used by the government of James VII and II to suppress
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