Anniversary of Glencoe Massacre 2/13, missed this year but not forgotten

[DougC]

I don't think events like this or any other are likely to be forgotten. Events like Glencoe took place throughout history and across the globe. It was a sad event in Scottish history. Glad to see the original post focused less on the clans involved and more on the tragedy of the event itself. Of course, this is a good time to remember that the actions of a few should not condemn the many. Likewise, the actions of the past should not impair the ability for those in the present to work together.

On another point--how ironic you would choose to use the term Cuimhnich to end the post when the Campbell motto is Ne Obliscaris. Remember and never forget the fallen...

[Sir William]

Although I was busy working and not able to go kilted on Saturday or today, I would like to take a moment now to remember those of the clan of MacDonald of Glencoe lost in the predawn massacre at the hands of government troops on February 13, 1692...Belatedly I shall be wearing their colors tomorrow in remembrance. Bless their souls.

Jeff

Each year Clan Donald in Virginia hold a Glencoe Day on this weekend. My wife and I attended today. Its more of a social occasion, with plenty of food and drink and good conversation, than a memorial service, though at some point we pause to remember.

[BobsYourUncle]

For those interested in learning more about the Glencoe massacre, I recommend John Prebble's book [U]Glencoe[U]. It is a thorough treatment, and Prebble's style is very readable. At the risk of inciting controversy, I will offer that his treatment is quite even-handed. Cheers...

[ForresterModern]

On another point--how ironic you would choose to use the term Cuimhnich to end the post when the Campbell motto is Ne Obliscaris. Remember and never forget the fallen...

The original motto for the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe was "Nec Tempore Nec Fato"-----"Neither Time Nor Fate". Sometime after the massacre when the clan reformed and had regrown it was changed to "Cuimhnich"----"Remember".

One can only presume why.

[DougC]

History shows us the reasons why. I thought MacDonald's motto was "By Land and Sea." Anyway, as a Campbell, I wasn't there and feel for the injustice of it all. read something a couple of months ago saying the clan chief failed to offer a proper apology. Not sure how he could after several hundred years. The whole idea of blindly following orders, at the time, was really part and parcel of being in the military.

[Lachlan09]

Perhaps the descendants of King William III should offer an apology, Glencoe was done in his and his Queen's names.

There will always be massacres, often forgotten except by the descendants of those who suffered, just as Filipinos remember Samar, Philippines 1901.

General "Roaring Jake" Smith told his men: "I want no prisoners. I want you to kill and burn. The more you kill and burn, the more it will please me."

Asked the age limit, the general replied: "Ten years and older. The interior of Samar must be made a howling wilderness."

[ForresterModern]

I hope we can maintain the somber and respectful spirit of remembrance and memorial to the fallen, an apolitical and non-controversial tribute. I see no need for in depth histories or causal relationships or related events or blame distribution, as history has seen to that, and history is written by the survivors, not just the victors. And many of those survivors are MacDonalds, Glencoes included, as well as Campbells, other king's men at various levels of military government, and the king and queen themselves.

Let us leave the small details of history to the historians, and instead simply and somberly remember the fallen for what they were, victims of a period of terrible clan infighting and Scottish English power struggle. I do take offense to the out of context comment that "the MacDonalds were not innocents", as none of the men, women, and children of Glencoe that cold morning in February 1692 was that day guilty of anything other than family pride, family humility and traditional hospitality. Yes massacres and other great tragedies have befallen many clans and individuals over many hundreds of strifetorn years throughout Scotland and the Borders, but let each be remembered on its own, let each have its own thread started and its own story told by its own champion. But let not their stories be disparaged by others in their own time, and let us not disparage this memorial either.

Thanks for your understanding. For now the thread will remain open for comments.

jeff

[macwilkin]

I hope we can maintain the somber and respectful spirit of remembrance and memorial to the fallen, an apolitical and non-controversial tribute. I see no need for in depth histories or causal relationships or related events or blame distribution, as history has seen to that, and history is written by the survivors, not just the victors. And many of those survivors are MacDonalds, Glencoes included, as well as Campbells, other king's men at various levels of military government, and the king and queen themselves.

Let us leave the small details of history to the historians, and instead simply and somberly remember the fallen for what they were, victims of a period of terrible clan infighting and Scottish English power struggle. I do take offense to the out of context comment that "the MacDonalds were not innocents", as none of the men, women, and children of Glencoe that cold morning in February 1692 was that day guilty of anything other than family pride, family humility and traditional hospitality. Yes massacres and other great tragedies have befallen many clans and individuals over many hundreds of strifetorn years throughout Scotland and the Borders, but let each be remembered on its own, let each have its own thread started and its own story told by its own champion. But let not their stories be disparaged by others in their own time, and let us not disparage this memorial either.

Thanks for your understanding. For now the thread will remain open for comments.

jeff

If you were offended by Baynes & Laffin's remarks, then I am sorry Jeff, but you'll need to take it up with them. Whilst the dependents of the Glencoe McDonalds were certainly innocent, I don't think we can say that their warrirors were totally innocent, if they did participate in raids on Glenlyon country. I also don't think Baynes and Laffin were trying to "disparage" their memory, but rather tell another part of the story that doesn't often get told, which doesn't make it out of context, but rather helps tell the whole story -- if anything, it places the story of Glencoe in context of what was going on in Scotland at that time, and helps explain why the story was so tragic.

I'm also sorry you see no value to "in-depth histories" to help in telling this particular story and memorializing the dead. As a former park ranger at a Civil War Battlefield, I did both in my duties -- not only did we ensure the most accurate story was told, but we also honoured the fallen, no matter what side they serve on, as part of our mission. It was a responsibility I took very seriously and still do when I teach a history class.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with memorializing the Glencoe McDonalds. What I have a problem with is the fact that many today use that tragic incident to foster petty hatred of people (i.e. the Campbells) who had nothing to do with the incident. I've seen this first hand, and quite frankly, it's a bit silly. It does a disservice to both sides.

Sincerely,

Todd

[macwilkin]

Post deleted.

[Tony]

Personally, I see nothing wrong with memorializing the Glencoe McDonalds. What I have a problem with is the fact that many today use that tragic incident to foster petty hatred of people (i.e. the Campbells) who had nothing to do with the incident. I've seen this first hand, and quite frankly, it's a bit silly. It does a disservice to both sides.

Sincerely,

Todd