Myth Busters - Glencoe, MacDonald's vs Campbell's

[MACKAY]

I saw this quote on another thread

"I, personally, would rather see a woman in a kilt than a MacDonald in a Campbell tartan."

Thought I would take this opportunity to join the 'X Marks Myth Busters' (Todd, Hamish, Matt, etc...) in providing some interesting information on Scottish history verses romantic myth.

I want to attempt to clarify that the Campbell’s, as a Clan, had absolutely nothing to do with the Massacre at the Glencoe that the King was tricked into ordering. There is good evidence that the King never even read the execution document that he signed and was tricked into doing so by a senior member of his inner court who had a great interest in seeing the MacDonald's suffer.

The regiment that was assigned to "not trouble the Crown with prisoners" was merely lead by an non-highland officer named Campbell, the Clan Campbell had nothing to do with it other than being associated by name by the regimental officer from Ft William, and thus linked forever in history as being associated with the event.

Now the officer, although not from the highlands, did know enough to take advantage of the highland custom of offering hospitality and sanctuary to any who ask and thus took advantage of the situation by murdering the Chief of the MacDonald’s, his sons, and may of his immediate family in the middle of the night. And I am not attempting to dispute this horrible act. Just the myth surrounding it.

I also want to make clear however that the Campbell’s and MacDonald’s Clans were indeed political rivals and had many a disagreement and fight between them. The Campbell’s as a Clan habitually supported the English Crown and were rewarded handsomely time and again. The MacDonald’s always seemed to be opposed to whomever the Campbell’s supported, usually losing in the end. But that is another story. So I would have no problem seeing a MacDonald wearing a Campbell kilt

If anyone would like details on the events of the massacre from a historical perspective, just let me know and I'll be glad to type up a brief account.

Brian Mackay
'Manu Forti'

[Doc Hudson]

Brian, sober up man!

You really don't expect the truth to over rule three hundred years of legend and enmity do you?

As long as there are MacDonalds and Campbells, you'll never convince some MacDonalds that the Campbells aren't all black-hearted murders and stealers on land. And I suspect that there are Campbells who firmly believe the MacDonalds got what they deserved.

The Hatfields and McCoy's have nothing on the MacDonalds and Campbells, both are time honored traditions and no amount of truth will make the two families real friends.

[bubba]

The MacDonalds and Campbells feuded frequently, Glen Coe aside. Just on the basis of Clan history of the many feuds and fights it wouldn't be likely to find a MacDonald wearing Campbell colors. Of course, for the most part today, all that is remote history and there isn't any enmity anymore. Add to that even in the old days Clan loyalties were quite flexible and could change without notice.

[MACKAY]

Bubba & Doc,

I agree with you 100% ... it is just that I have too much fun spreading this useless information amongst those who may actually be interested.

Usually I have to deal with my wife rolling her eyes and the boy running for the hills when I start talking history, Scottish or otherwise.

Brian

[Matthews]

MYTH....BUSTED

Sorry, I just always wanted to say that and if I can't say it on the TV Show I might as well take my chance and say it here.

Cheers,
T.R. Matthews

[Galant]

Well for one who's new to all this and isn't even aware of such rivalries I found it informative and interesting.

Just make sure it's accurate since I'll believe what I'm told!

[macwilkin]

Well said & well put, Brian! A tip o' the bonnet tae ye!

It is also conviently forgotten by some that the MacDonalds were loyal to the English crown when it was profitable to them, and that Campbell of Glenlyon, the officer commanding the detachment at Glencoe, had seen his property destroyed during a raid by MacDonalds the year before. It is also forgotten that the Sheriff who was supposed to receive MacIan's oath of loyalty vouched for the Glencoe MacDonalds to the government -- was a Campbell, and that some of the refugees from Glencoe were sheltered by Campbells after the incident. It is also forgotten that there were some Campbells who served in the Jacobite forces at Culloden.

"myth-buster"...I like that...Who ya going to call? :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[MACKAY]

Todd, thanks for the additional info, it is interesting how quickly alliances changed in the Highlands, probably way more often than the men-folk changed their kilts! X Marks is way better than the history channel ... it's interactive!

After actually visiting Glencoe, and being mesmerized by the very spirit of the place, and hearing the tour guide drone on about the "Massacre of the MacDonald’s” by the Campbell's, I decided to do my own research to learn more and was quite surprised by what I found.

Brian Mackay
'Manu Forti'

"A great deal of the useless information I have gathered was stumbled upon while looking for something else entirely."

[macwilkin]

it is interesting how quickly alliances changed in the Highlands, probably way more often than the men-folk changed their kilts!

The Campbells were one of the few clans who were consistant in their loyalties -- they always looked out for their family first, no matter what popular opinion thought of them.

My brother-in-law worked as a bartender at a pub in Glencoe for about six months, and he tells of a sign above the bar that stated:

NO CAMPBELLS SERVED HERE

Needless to say, it was a MacDonald who owned the pub. George never said whether they actually enforced it.

Cheers,

Todd

[Doc Hudson]

Usually I have to deal with my wife rolling her eyes and ... running for the hills when I start talking history, Scottish or otherwise.

Brian

I know that look quite well. I suppose you are quite familiar with the glassy eyed look as well, that generally comes about half way through a thorough answer. I'm accuse of answering a question with a doctoral thesis, or if I cut it short, I catch the dei'l for being monsyllabic.

A man just can't win!