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.

Background

In 1688, William took the thrones of England and Scotland from James VII (II of England). In 1689, John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, led Scottish Highlanders in the Jacobite uprisings in an attempt to return the throne to King James. Dundee was killed at the Battle of Killiecrankie, and the rising in Scotland ended in defeat at the Battle of Dunkeld. On their way home from this battle, the MacIains of Glencoe, a sept of Clan MacDonald, looted the lands of Robert Campbell and stole his livestock, leaving him heavily in debt and forcing him to take an army commission to provide for his family.

Related Topics:
1688 - England - James VII (II of England) - 1689 - John Graham of Claverhouse - Scottish Highlanders - Jacobite - Battle of Killiecrankie - Battle of Dunkeld - Clan MacDonald - Robert Campbell

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James was defeated at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690. On August 27 1691, William offered all Highland clans a pardon for their part in the Jacobite Uprising, as long as they took an oath of allegiance before January 1 1692 in front of a magistrate, if they did not sign they were threatened with death. The Highland chiefs sent word to James, now in exile in France, asking for his permission to take this oath. James dithered over his decision, convinced that he was close to returning to Britain to reclaim his throne. When it became apparent that this was not going to happen before the deadline, James sent orders back to Scotland telling the chiefs to take the oath. This message reached its recipients in mid-December, only a few weeks before the deadline. Nearly all managed to comply promptly, but Alastair MacIain, 12th Chief of Glencoe, waited until the last day before setting out to take the oath.

Related Topics:
Battle of the Boyne - Ireland - 1690 - August 27 - 1691 - January 1 - 1692 - Magistrate - France - Alastair MacIain

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On December 31, 1691, he travelled to Fort William and asked Colonel Hill, the governor, to administer the required oath. Colonel Hill, however, demurred on the grounds that he was not authorized to receive the necessary oath. He instructed MacIain to proceed quickly to Inveraray to make his oath before Sir Colin Campbell, sheriff of Argyll. Colonel Hill gave MacIain a letter of protection and a letter to Sir Colin asking that he receive MacIain's oath since MacIain had come to Colonel Hill within the allotted time. Colonel Hill also reassured MacIain that no action would be taken against him without his having the opportunity to make his case before the king or the king's privy council.

Related Topics:
December 31 - 1691 - Fort William - Colonel Hill - Inveraray - Colin Campbell - Sheriff - Argyll

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It took MacIain three days to reach Inverary, partly due to winter weather, partly due to him being detained for a day at Balcardine Castle by the 1st company of the Earl of Argyll's Regiment of Foot, at the command of Captain Drummond, ensuring his lateness. On arrival at Inverary, he was forced to wait for three days for the arrival of Sir Colin who was absent. Upon his return, Sir Colin reluctantly accepted MacIain's oath.

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While MacIain was satisfied that he had satisfied the spirit of the required oath, and therefore did not anticipate any action against himself or his people, some elements within the government saw an opportunity to use his failure to fulfill the letter of the requirement (by missing the deadline) to at one stroke make an example of the Macdonalds and simultaneously eliminate some enemies.

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