Black Watch Tartan Origin?

[MacWage]

Actually, there was really only one Campbell associated with Glencoe, Robert Campbell of Glenlyon,who commanded government troops (not Campbell clansmen), under orders from the Earl of Stair and William of Orange.

Regards,

Todd

Those "in the know" tend to hold Stair as more "at fault" for the travesty at Glencoe than the Campbells. Stair WANTED a total massacre (and manipulated William into calling for one). Some even argue (to relative effectiveness) that Glenlyon's part actually did more to make the operation as sloppy as possible, on purpose, as he could "legitimately" do and still "follow orders." Thus, the Campbell involved probably enabled more MacIan's to live than most other officers in his personal bind (between explicit orders and personal connections and scruples).

[macwilkin]

Those "in the know" tend to hold Stair as more "at fault" for the travesty at Glencoe than the Campbells. Stair WANTED a total massacre (and manipulated William into calling for one). Some even argue (to relative effectiveness) that Glenlyon's part actually did more to make the operation as sloppy as possible, on purpose, as he could "legitimately" do and still "follow orders." Thus, the Campbell involved probably enabled more MacIan's to live than most other officers in his personal bind (between explicit orders and personal connections and scruples).

VERY good points, MacWage; many thanks!

Some historians believe that Glenlyon may have made a "mess" of it because his heart wasn't in the job; others have cited the fact that Glenlyon's men did give the MacDonald's some warning, and that Glenlyon himself was related to MacIan. Others point out that Glenlyon's estates were the victim of a raid by the MacDonald's before Glencoe, a fact that most ardent MacDonald apologists usually ignore. They also ignore that it was a Campbell who took MacIan's oath to William (albiet a few days late) and personally swore for MacIan's tardiness because of the weather. One good source on the Glencoe affair is Baynes and Laffin's "Soldiers of Scotland", which discusses all of the above points.

Regards,

Todd