Hmm. I always understood that the Campbells were supposed to be one of the most powerful clans, if not THE most powerful clan. Naturally, this brings unwarranted animosity from those who do not wield as much sway in things. I have also been under the impression that most of the other highlanders hated the Campbells, as one book I read on the '45 stated that the "despised Argyll militia fought for the royalist side."

I found this:
http://www.rampantscotland.com/features/glencoe.htm
I would have felt sorry for the troops who had to act out such orders. At the same time I would have been disgusted at their actions, and not trying to do something about it. Then again, it isn't like those guys had much choice. Brtutal, and not a position I would envy.

Perhaps these actions accounted for much of the animosity towards the Campbells, and the Argyll militia at the time of the '45? I know that there were numerous Scots on both sides of that conflict, but the one book I had read mentioned that the Argyll militia was particularly hated, but without going into much detail. But I imagine that people at that time would pass a grudge on to further generations.

One cannot help their forbears, and their ancestry should never be held against them. Occasionally joked about, maybe prodded from time to time in good humour by friends... but certainly no one today should have to bear the disdain of others because of what some distant relative had done.