Perhaps the best known of many historical tales of tragedy
and treachery from the Highlands of Scotland is the February 13, 1692, massacre
at Glen Coe (trans. the valley of tears). Anyone who has travelled in that area
can attest to the appropriateness of that name, for the mountains literally
weep with rills and rapids roaring through the pass where highway A-82 is
squeezed between the rocks on its way to the Atlantic.
Citing Glen Coe is not to diminish countless other
historical battles with Highland Gaels – Bannockburn, Sterling Bridge, Culloden
– all of which include at least some acts of betrayal and treachery.
However, the massacre of Glen Coe stands out primarily because
of a treachery so foul it resonates to this day. The story as I know it (no
doubt I’ll be corrected where necessary, but as you’ll see, it’s not my point
today) is that of the Campbells and the MacDonalds. I won’t go too deep into those
details, but there is a link below to a Wikipedia article about it. In short, a group of
Campbell clansmen were sent to Glen Coe by their chief to affirm a sort of
peace with the MacDonalds (and the Crown). They were wined and dined for a few
days, as was customary and, by all accounts a grand time was had by all.
But instead of presenting the MacDonald hosts with parting
gifts in appreciation for their hospitality, the Campbell men drew their swords
and parted the skulls of the host MacDonalds. The slaughter continued as survivors were pursued survivors of the initial attack until all MacDonalds were slain.
There is more and important background and details to that
bit of history, of course, and if you’re interested there are both a footnote and a link below to
enable you to chase the details no matter your familial ties.
~~
About thirty years ago, my Humanities professor, Charles
MacDonald (1937-2021) told the class a story about two long-time friends – one
named MacDonald and the other, Campbell – who shared a history class focusing
on the Highlands. The two helped one another if one happened to be miss a
lecture. The day the Campbell returned to class after an absence, he was
greeted by a punch in the mouth from the MacDonald.
“That’s for Glen Coe,” yelled the perpetrator.
“Geeze, b’y! That was three hundred years ago!” yelled Campbell.
“Well, I just heard about it yesterday!” came the reply.
~~
There’s a great lament about the massacre of Glen Coe, as
well as a film. And so there should be. I’ve provided links to both below. The
link to the song includes a play button. Enjoy!
But today’s musitorial is inspired by a more recent incident
that apparently transpired in a restaurant in Minnesota. According to reports
(two media accounts are linked below), agents of ICE (U.S. Immigration and
Citizenship Enforcement) were occasioned to dine in El Tapatio, a family-owned Mexican
restaurant in Willmar, outside of Minneapolis.
Later in the day, after the restaurant closed, three staff
members were arrested and detained as illegal aliens, part of the ICE crackdown
in predominantly Democrat-governed states that has been making headlines around
the world.
Call it what you will, the incident immediately brought to
mind the story of Glen Coe, the valley of tears. I wonder how many years it
will take the world to forget these last few months (and the months to come).
A few lines of “The Massacre of Glencoe,” today’s musitorial
go as follows:
They came in a blizzard
We offered them heat
A roof for their heads
Dry shoes for their feet
We wined them, we dined them
They ate of our meat
This February 13, I’ll be marking the massacre with new
understandings and great sadness.
=30=
Link to Genius.com for the lyrics and song, “The
Massacre of Glencoe,” performed by the Irish Rovers (The Corries, 1987, written
by Jim Mclean, © Carlin Music Corp: https://genius.com/The-irish-rovers-the-massacre-of-glencoe-lyrics
Link to Wikipedia (history) article on the massacre
of Glen Coe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_Glencoe
Link to Wikipedia article on the film (note the similarity of URLs): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Massacre_of_Glencoe
Link to The Independent news article about the ICE
arrest in question: https://tinyurl.com/58kbu9kd
Link to additional source (Newsweek) about the ICE
arrest in question: https://tinyurl.com/5n78r5sr
_____________________________________
Footnote from FB post by Glencoe Folk Museum, January 30, 2026:
“Pray, when anything concerning Glencoe is resolved, let it
be secret and sudden...”
On This Day in 1692, these were the chilling words written
by John Dalrymple, Secretary of State for Scotland, to Colonel John Hill,
Governor of the garrison at Fort William. Dalrymple had long been plotting to
strike a blow against the clans. He saw the Highlands as backward, lawless and
savage, and wanted to crush the clan systems and prevent any further uprisings
like that of 1689, when Stuart supporters had rebelled against William of
Orange taking the throne from King James VII of Scotland and II of England. He
had a particular hatred of the MacDonalds and had already discussed in previous
letters his plans to “maul them in the long cold nights” and “destroy
completely the country of Lochaber”, and so he had "rejoiced" to hear
earlier in the month that MacIain of Glencoe had been late in pledging his
allegiance to the new King.
Dalrymple also wrote to Thomas Livingstone, Commander of the
Army in Scotland, on the same day:
“I am glad that Glencoe did not come in within the time
prescribed. I hope what's done there may be in earnest...I believe you will be
satisfied it were a great advantage to the nation that thieving tribe were
rooted out and cut off. It must be quietly done…”
By this point, Dalrymple had received Colonel Hill's letter
advising him that the clans were at peace and ready to submit to the new King,
but this did not deter him from the act of slaughter that had been planned
against the MacDonalds of Glencoe. There were to be no new orders or
last-minute mercies.
Two days later, on the 1st February, two companies of the
Earl of Argyll’s Regiment arrived in Glencoe under the command of Captain
Robert Campbell of Glenlyon and were given lodgings in the homes of the
clansmen - unaware of the real reason for their presence in the Glen. For the
next 12 days, clansmen and soldiers shared food, drink, stories, songs, caber
tosses, wrestling and shinty games, neither side knowing what was to happen
next...
=30 footnote=
