Glencoe July 2007

[hylander]

Not sure why, maybe it was the fact that it was a very cool day temp wise.

[Mike1]

Here are some images taken by some of my pals at the annual commemoration -











And this from a leaflet handed out by the commemoration organizer -

The order for the Glencoe massacre was meant to be carried out through all the Jacobite clans, following through to the Camerons of Lochaber, MacDonalds of Keppoch and Glengarry, etc. This was only prevented by an outcry throughout Europe, particularly France.

There were few Campbells in the Argyll militia who were wakened in the night to carry out their sealed orders. The commander, Campbell of Glenlyon (Jacobite Campbells) was reluctant but obeyed orders. A Campbell piper played a lament at signal rock at midnight. His hosts knew what was meant and escaped. Another Campbell trooper spoke to a sacred rock, saying that if he were a dog he would not be out this night. His hosts got the message. Another found a family under a bridge and bayoneted their dog, showing the blood to his superior. The fact that only 38 people died was a testimony to the reluctance of the troopers.

The Glenlyon Campbells, Black Isle Campbells and others took part on both the '15 and '45 rebellions on the Jacobite side. The Glencoe MacIains and MacDonalds guarded the Campbells from other Jacobite forces in these rebellions.

The Massacre of Glencoe
copyright words and music Jim Mclean 1963
published by Duart Music

(Chorus)
O Cruel is the snow
That sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave O Donald
And cruel was the foe
That raped Glencoe
And murderd the house of
MacDonald

They came in a blizzard
We offered them heat
A roof o'er their heads
Dry shoes for their feet
We wined them and dined them
They ate of our meat
And they slept in the house of
MacDonald

They came from Fort William
Wi' murder in mind
The Campbells had orders
King William had signed
Put all to the sword
These words were underlined
And leave none alive called
MacDonald

(Chorus)

They came in the night
When the men were asleep
This band O' Argyles
Through snow soft and deep
Like murdering foxes
Among helpless sheep
They slaughtered the house of
MacDonald

(Chorus)

Some died in their beds
At the hand of the foe
Some fled in the night
And were lost in the snow
Some lived to accuse him
That struck the first blow
But gone was the house of
MacDonald