The Glencoe Massacre

Well if you do, then the history of Scotland and its heritage has some of the most amazing stories to entertain you.

One such story tells us about a grisly moment in Scotland’s history - The Massacre of Glencoe. On the night of 12 February,1692, Campbell received orders to kill all MacDonalds under seventy years of age at 5 am the next morning. The massacre began simultaneously in three settlements along the glen, Invercoe, Inverrigan, and Achacon. In the early hours of a cold winter's morning the soldiers rose from their beds and set about the massacre of their hosts, with whom they had been living on friendly terms. It was this act of treachery in response to hospitality that makes this massacre such a heinous crime. Although only forty were killed, many more escaped to the hills only to die of hunger and exposure.

The monument to the fallen MacDonalds is situated in the Glencoe village, and MacIain was buried on the island of Eilean Munde, in Loch Leven. Signal Rock, where the order was given to begin the massace stands just a few hundred yards west of the Clachaig Inn on the north bank of the River Coe.

To learn more about this historic event in Scotland’s history, go to Electric Scotland’s website where they have an interesting & very detailed account of the massacre.

And as you prepare your Glencoe expedition, be sure to research the Glencoe property listings on the EmbraceScotland website. Make sure your holiday is a memorable in your own history books!