Massacre of Glencoe

The Massacre of Glencoe was an incident at the village of Glencoe, Glen Coe, Scotland early in the morning on February 13, 1692, during the era of the Glorious Revolution and the Jacobite Risings. 38 MacDonalds were killed by the guests who had accepted their hospitality, for not promptly pledging allegiance to the new king, William of Orange. Another 40 women and children died of exposure after their homes were burned.

Aftermath

The Glencoe massacre became a propaganda piece for Jacobite sympathies which were to come to a head in the next generation in the Rising of 1745. In the Victorian era interest was revived and the massacre was romanticised in art and literature, such as Sir Walter Scott's "The Highland Widow". The massacre became translated from a government action to a clan fight in which - because of Argyll's regiment happening to be involved and with Glenlyon in command, the ancient MacDonald-Campbell rivalry was remembered.

Related Topics:
Victorian era - Sir Walter Scott

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Memory of this massacre has been kept alive by continued ill feeling between MacDonalds and Campbells — in the late 20th century the Clachaig Inn, a hotel and pub in Glencoe popular with climbers, had a sign on its door "No Hawkers or Campbells".

Related Topics:
20th century - Clachaig Inn

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~