The history of Glencoe and Loch Leven spans over 5000 years, but the area is most famous for a tragic night in February 1692.

The Massacre of Glencoe

The infamy of the massacre of Glencoe is not so much in the numbers killed, but in the way it was carried out. 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. MacIain of Glencoe delayed signing the oath and when he arrived in Fort William on 31st December 1691, he found he had to go to Inveraray. Difficult travelling and the absence of a sheriff meant that MacIain did not sign the oath until 6th January 1692. MacIain returned to Glencoe believing his signature was accepted. It was however decided to punish MacIain. Campbell of Glenlyon led a group of some 128 soldiers who stayed with the MacDonalds for some 12 days and then turned on their hosts in the early morning of 13th February, killing 38 of them whilst some tried to escape into the snowy hills. The infamy of the massacre is “murder under trust” murder of those who had offered them hospitality.

A monument to the fallen MacDonalds is situated in Glencoe Village in Upper Carnoch. MacIain was buried on the island of Eilean Munde in Loch Leven opposite Ballachulish. James of the Glen.

There is a local history section which details this and other events in the “Guide to Loch Leven and Glencoe” available for £3.50 including postage.