Order for Glencoe massacre goes on display

[figheadair]

The Order for Glencoe massacre goes on display in Edinburgh until May 15 and is a fascinating snap-shot of a turbulent period in Scottish history. The National Library of Scotland has a huge collection of documents and artefacts and is well worth a visit.

[KD Burke]

The massacre at Glencoe stands out as a truly barbarous act, even in an age where massacre was an accepted tactic of warfare.

[Stitchwiz]

The Order for Glencoe massacre goes on display in Edinburgh until May 15 and is a fascinating snap-shot of a turbulent period in Scottish history. The National Library of Scotland has a huge collection of documents and artefacts and is well worth a visit.

After reading the above, I wish we had transporters that, in a heartbeat, could whisk me to across the ocean and back again on a regular basis. They have wonderful ongoing displays and when I receive the newsletter from the NLS I sigh and tell myself 'Someday...". I envy those who live so close to such a treasure.

I used to be a ROM-rat - I went to the ROM (the Royal Ontario Museum) every Sat from age 5 til we moved to the country when I was 10. I packed a big lunch, took 3 buses and a streetcar and was there from open til close. Over the years I got to know everyone. The staff took me into the basements and storage areas and showed me many items which had never been displayed. I watched as a dinosaur was re-assembled from packing cases and a reconstructed raptor was hung from the ceiling. I knew the ROM intimately from top to bottom. It was one of the curators who called me a ROM-rat because I went where few people ever went.

My first up close exposure to the kilt was watching a diorama being set up showing the progression of kilts starting with a large plaid that was folded and pleated around the waist and the rest was draped over the shoulder. There were a few mannequins done in different plaids and styles of folding and pleating. The last kilt was similar to the ones that are worn today. I was fascinated watching the gentleman folding the pleats and realized that he didn't use any pins to hold the fabric and when he was done the belt held everything together. Now I wish I had paid more attention!

Museums can be so much more than a stuffy collection. Museums can open the eyes of a child and introduce them to a whole new world.

[LadyoftheTower]

Doe anyone know or have the text to the order? I canne seem to find it online anywhere. thanks

[Bruce Scott]

I found this:
"To Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon ' For Their Majesties' Service'
Sir, You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebels, the M'Donalds, of Glencoe and putt all to the sword under seventy. You are to have special care that the old fox and his sons doe upon no account escape your hands. You are to secure all the avenues, that no man may escape. This you are to putt in execution at five o'clock in the morning precisely, and by that time, or very shortly after it, I'll strive to be att you with a stronger party. If I doe not come to you att five, you are not to tarry for me, but to fall on. This is by the King's special command, for the good of the country, that these miscreants be cutt off root and branch. See that this be putt in execution without feud or favour, else you may expect to be treated as not true to the king's government, nor a man fitt to carry a commission in the king's service. Expecting you will not faill in the fulfilling hereof as you love yourself, I subscribe these with my hand.

Master of the Stair
(John Dalyrmple)"

[Tarheel]

Recently, while hunting for particular ancestors of mine, I came across this order but could not read it. Thank you Bruce for the reprint.
Three Ingram men were killed in the rout along side the M'Donalds and two were listed as lurking and at large via the info I found. But like the Coquhouns did with the MacGregors (in a different conflict), I offer a hand to truce and progress of peace. Our history does not choose our future.

[figheadair]

I found this:
"To Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon ' For Their Majesties' Service'
Sir, You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebels, the M'Donalds, of Glencoe and putt all to the sword under seventy. You are to have special care that the old fox and his sons doe upon no account escape your hands. You are to secure all the avenues, that no man may escape. This you are to putt in execution at five o'clock in the morning precisely, and by that time, or very shortly after it, I'll strive to be att you with a stronger party. If I doe not come to you att five, you are not to tarry for me, but to fall on. This is by the King's special command, for the good of the country, that these miscreants be cutt off root and branch. See that this be putt in execution without feud or favour, else you may expect to be treated as not true to the king's government, nor a man fitt to carry a commission in the king's service. Expecting you will not faill in the fulfilling hereof as you love yourself, I subscribe these with my hand.

Master of the Stair
(John Dalyrmple)"

That's essentially it but there are some slight differences/additions in the actual letter. They are a little difficult to make out from the picture on the BBC but include Stair's location Balicholis (Ballachulish) and the date 12 Feb 1692. No doubt the full transcription will accompany the original in the exhibition which I hope to see over the holiday season.

[MacEanruig]

Thanks for sharing both the order as well as the text. I have a connection with MacIain.

[creagantuirc]

Those Campbells were bastards, and as proudly British as I am (I'm a MacLaren first!)-the Hanoverians should never have darkened our shores.
An important document to be sure-and one that must not be forgotten.

Fortunately the world has moved on much since those times-and the name MacDonald and Campbell are now associated with mass-produced foodstuffs rather than war and bloody murder.

Progress eh.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Mike_Oettle]

Sorry, Creagantuirc, it was not the Hanoverians, but William III (of Orange) who was behind the order.