Anything like this ever happen to you?

[HeathBar]

unfotunately this guy shows up to games more than we like. Usually he comes out after a few adult beverages. I have not had the displeasure of meeting him in person, but I've heard of him. I hope the clansman was reading him the riot act. Its these guys that can cause a first time visitor to never come back.

[Galloglaich]

I agree that the clan feud thing can be handled in a humorous way, I've had some good laughs ribbing folks & getting ribbed myself (usually over a dram, as mentioned). The Highland tradition of hospitality is a time honored and sacred institution, we should show our dignity and emulate the graces of our forefathers. BTW, the link on the government sett is a good one.

I hadn't really considered the effect that this type of behavior can have on first time gamers, but you're quite right. Who wants to witness that? Besides, it could have been worse. What if my friend had been a Campbell?

[McClef]

Unfortunately some people have long memories which they have not experienced personally but inherited.

I knew a Campbell at university who said he was always getting reminded of Glencoe as if he was somehow personally responsible.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Yes, that's pretty silly all in all. Hendersons were the MacDonald bodyguard in Glencoe. But, it is completely beyond my thought process to yell at a Campbell because of that :confused:

[Andrew Green]

Wow. I have never heard of anything like that!
I can understand a little joking around, but damn, that takes the cake (and apparently not done in humour, unless it was one sided only...which then ruins the fun). I believe there should be some sense of honour in claiming an affiliation, regardless of what affiliation that is. If you wish to tie yourself to it, you should be proud of it, and not prattle on like a retard. I for one am always down for good discussions regarding history, good, bad or indifferent. I don't think I could have done much more besides hang my head and laugh at the guy. Pointing a weapon is NEVER ok, and is a threat as far as I am concerned.

[Mike1]

I knew a Campbell at university who said he was always getting reminded of Glencoe as if he was somehow personally responsible.

Which is always an excellent demonstration of how little the detractor knows of the events at Glencoe. I always find it a pity that people are willing to speak from a position of ignorance, rather than knowledge.

[Andrew Green]

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.

[MacWage]

I'd love to deal with this guy, if he comes to one of the games I'm at. I kid around and have fun, but have been known to get in discussions with the bad history and stupidity that seems to run rampant at games. I always do so with grace and a level head, but usually get guys off balance by my not getting mad and yelling back.

As for Glencoe and the many other "atrocities" that have taken place, the actual history behind them is ALWAYS far more complex than the extremely simplifed versions people argue and diatribe about. I've found that the ones who yell loadest are the same ones that know the least about the ACTUAL events themselves.


I'm sorry that you two had to deal with such a person. I only hope that some clansmen and s good historian is correcting him.

[Mike1]

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.

If you continue your research, you will find that many actually DID do something about it. If this was actually the cold-blooded Campbell massacre that so many believe that it was, how did so many escape? Let's face it, the Campbells had demonstrated their ability to massacre mass numbers, 46 years previous to Glencoe during the massacre of the Lamonts. Read the various accounts of that massacre and you will see that the events of Glencoe were not so brutal.

Trying to understand events ocurring between different Scottish families by looking at the events of '45 will not serve you well. 1745 is more like modern history, when one examines the issues that involved many of these families.

[David Thornton]

I had a similar moment at my first games. It so put me off Clan Donald that I now mostly wear Cameron & Angus district kilts.
I suspect that the individual feels like he is correct and has no idea the real damage he is causing, and not just for his Clan. I had a very difficult time even getting my wife interested in going to any events.

David