Attempts by King William to control the…
February 1692 CE
Attempts by King William to control the Highland Jacobites takes several forms: he constructs forts, gives money to clan chiefs to buy loyalty, and then requires oaths of allegiance on pain of death.
Former king James, however, anticipating these oaths, required the chiefs to swear.
One chief was late; another, MacIan MacDonald of Glencoe, refused.
William, ordering the clan’s extirpation, sends soldiers under MacIan’s relative.
The soldiers are received hospitably.
Government troops on the night of February 16, 1692, close the approaches to the valley of Glencoe.
The visiting soldiers, aided by rival Scottish clansmen, the Campbells, led by Robert Campbell, then slaughter the sleeping MacDonalds and burn their houses.
The massacre had begun simultaneously in three settlements along the glen—Invercoe, Inverrigan, and Achacon—although the killing takes place all over the glen as fleeing MacDonalds are pursued.
Thirty-seven MacDonalds from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe are killed.
Another forty women and children die of exposure after their homes are burned.
Under Scots law there is a special category of murder known as "murder under trust" which is considered to be even more heinous than ordinary murder.
The Glencoe massacre is a clear example of such.
Because the guards allow a few MacDonalds to escape and tell the tale of betrayal and woe, William’s reputation in Scotland is ruined.
Due to the involvement of Argyll's regiment under Glenlyon's command, however, the massacre is regarded not as a government action, but as a consequence of the ancient MacDonald-Campbell rivalry.