The MacDonald-Campbell Feud And The Glencoe Massacre
Public DomainAfter the Massacre of Glencoe by artist Peter Graham.
Although the Campbells and the MacDonalds each had histories linked to Robert the Bruce and the fight for Scottish independence, the two clans never saw eye to eye.
It was the MacDonalds who had supported the deposed Stuart King James VII of Scotland and II of England after he was overthrown by William III in the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688. When James fled to France, his supporters at home became known as the Jacobites.
The Campbells, meanwhile, were among the clans who swore an oath of allegiance to the newly ascended William III and his queen, Mary II.
In 1689, the Jacobites rose up against the new Scottish government, but the rebellion was quickly suppressed by May 1690. However, there was still much unrest among the Scottish clans, so the Scottish government made a proposal. According to the National Trust for Scotland, the government initially promised money and land to any Jacobite clans who signed an oath of allegiance to William.
But the oath came with a deadline of Jan. 1, 1692. Any clan that signed the oath prior to that date would be spared — and those who refused were to be punished as traitors.
The MacDonalds, however, felt bound by their oath to James, and they were not ones to break an oath. Then, in mid-December 1691, James consented to William’s request, allowing the Jacobite clans to sign William’s oath without feeling they had betrayed James. Unfortunately, news traveled rather slowly in the late 17th century.
It was December 28 when word of James’ consent reached the MacDonalds — just three days before their deadline. The leader of the Glencoe MacDonalds, Maclain, quickly set out for Fort William, only to find that no one there could take his oath. He was told to go to Inveraray, 60 miles away, and he did not make it in time to meet the deadline.
Maclain was eventually allowed to take the oath on January 6, but it was too late. The decision had been made to make an example of the Glencoe MacDonalds — and the Campbells would carry out the act.
In late January 1692, Archibald Campbell, the 10th Earl of Argyll, sent two companies to Glencoe, totaling around 120 men and led by Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon. For nearly two weeks, the Campbells were treated amicably by the MacDonalds and given room and board.
Then, on the evening of Feb. 12, 1692, Captain Robert Campbell received the order:
“You are hereby ordered to fall upon the Rebells, the McDonalds of Glenco, and putt all to the sword under Seventy.”
While many of the MacDonalds escaped the sudden attack, the chief, 33 men, two women, and two children were slaughtered in an event that came to be known as the Glencoe Massacre.
