Massacre of Glencoe

Carruthers Clan                                                            Promptus et Fidelis

( Glen Coe Massacre monument in Glencoe, Lochaber, Scotland )

 

On the 13th February 1692, the massacre of Glencoe took place. Argyll’s Regiment of Foot and Hill’s Regiment of Foot carried out the massacre of MacDonald of Glencoe clansmen, women and children.

Mac’ Iain, the MacDonald laird of Glencoe is said to have had Lt. Col. Hill’s confirmation of his arrival to take the oath of allegiance to King William before the deadline on his person, having set off to do so on the 30th December. As Hill was not authorised to accept, Mac’Iain was sent to Inveraray where he submitted his oath to Sir Colin Campbell on the 6th January, after the deadline. Other clans, however, submitted much later or by proxy.

This massacre was not the most brutal or the most deadly in the Highlands, but it was one which has become a symbol of treachery and the disgracefully murderous activity under orders of the British Army in the Highlands. This is partly because of the fact that those who conducted the massacre had taken hospitality the night before the action from those they then surprised and killed at 5am. There are many historians who believe the massacre was ordered by, or at the very least allowed knowingly by King William himself.

The MacDonalds of Glencoe were certainly not wiped out by this massacre, but 38 are thought to have perished in their homes with up to 40 dying of injury and exposure after the massacre, having fled into the mountains. This included men and women of all ages, including an 8 year old boy who was fatally stabbed by Major Drummond while he held Campbell of Glenlyon’s leg begging for mercy.

( Order of the Massacre of the McDonalds )  There were orders given eventually for every clann or family in the Highlands and the Lowlands.

One thing that many may be unaware of is that the piper for Campbell of Glenlyon in the Campbell of Argyll regiment was Hugh Mackenzie. Mackenzie is thought to have fought at the Battle of Altimarlach (13th July 1680), the last clan versus clan battle to take place in Scotland, between the Campbells and the Sinclairs. It is thought that Mackenzie may have played a warning tune on the night of the 12th close to a stone which is now known as the Signal Rock. Some believe the rock was the gathering place for the MacDonalds of Glencoe, others believe it was where Mackenzie gave the signal to attack at 5am.

The idea that Mackenzie could have played a warning is more than possible when we understand the links between Gaelic language and pipe music in a period where music was not written as we now have it on staves. The music was far more communicative and the general understanding of those who were not musicians would have been far greater than it is today. We must also remember that the Henderson pipers to Mac’ Iain of Glencoe, would have understood messages communicated through pipe tunes. The local tradition in this case is greater evidence than the documented history and cannot be disregarded.

It is, however, recorded that Mackenzie played a tune which was understood to be a victory tune as the massacre was carried out. The tune may have been a “Breadalbane Rant in Triumph”, or more likely the tune that had been composed at Altimarlach to taunt the Sinclairs which roughly translates as “Gaffers in Trousers”, due to the Sinclairs’ lack of the plaid.

 

 

Glencoe is one of the earliest examples of a professional Military piper. It highlights the complex responsibilities of a professional Military piper in a situation that would have been very difficult for a traditional piper who would normally have communicated widely with other pipers and would have learned and shared their creativity and craft wherever they went, generally with welcoming hosts. The music of the bagpipe is built and developed from the trust between travellers and hosts.

 

 

 

 

 

The questions about Mackenzie’s character are truly intriguing. Was this a pro-Williamite individual who celebrated the deaths of his enemies, regardless of the horrendous events leading to their deaths? Was this a professional who knew the responsibilities of his job but morally chose to attempt to warn those who would understand? Are we able to categorise him as either based mainly on oral and traditional evidence? It would be very difficult to conclude either way as we know very little about Hugh Mackenzie, his piping or his motives.

 

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