This is the best documentary on the Massacre of Glencoe I've ever seen so far. Love how your insightful historical content is well presented alongside your high quality video footage. Your channel is the best on Scottish history and tourism. Scottish landscape is absolutely breathtaking and worth exploring. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and love for your beautiful country, Robert 🙏🏻🏴
Thanks so much Robert for giving us these lessons the way you do. Yes, of course we could probably learn about them another way, doing research and whatnot but it wouldn't be nearly as interesting or come with such beautiful photos and video. Plus.. when you tell these stories I can almost imagine my ancestors bring there in the thick of things.. lol. ❤❤👍👍
When I was in my twenties, about 50 years ago, I had a friend who was extremely interested in researching her Scottish ancestry and Scottish history in general. She was far more knowledgeable about such things than I, and had a very sharp tongued sense of humor. My clan ancestry is Campbell, hers, she said was MacKinnon. She enjoyed taking every opportunity to let me know how notorious my ancestors were and Glencoe figured promenantly in her thinking. At one point she called me and as our last conversation had ended rather suddenly, I mentioned that she had left me hanging the last time we spoke, to which she responded that that was the perfect place for a Campbell to be. Just an example of her sharp wit. Well, on one of her research visits to Scotland, she had occasion to request the use of the Duke of Argyle's library. In the course of their conversation, the Duke asked her if she knew that MacKernon, her family name, was a sept of Clan Campbell! Instant identity crisis! He explained to her, as you mentioned, that the troops had been housed with the Macdonalds for a couple of weeks. They ate together, drank together, and had gotten to gotten to know each other to a degree. So that when the orders came down, the Campbells did try to warn them of what was about to take place, and weren't believed. So I appreciate your including that possibility in your account. As to why my friend wasn't aware of her correct clan affiliation, I can only guess that, as you sometimes say, It's complicated. Anyway, thanks once again for an excellent presentation!
Your video certainly struck a chord with me. Fond memories driving thru Glencoe with my grandson, aged ten then sat beside me, on our first foray into Scotland on our way to Fort William to stay with the Wicked Witch of the West. Another story for another time. Since then I have taken the whole family to Scotland on numerous occassions.
"Achingly Beautiful". In my younger, at this point much younger years I spent quite some time hiking/climbing/camping in Glencoe. Just the opening shot in your video gave me goosebumps. This is a "place" that gets under your skin and in your bones. Achingly, hauntingly beautiful hell....don't take Roberts word....get your fine ass in that valley and see/feel for yourself. You can thank Robert later
Thank you Robert for another fantastic trip into Scottish history 👍♥️ I've been to Glencoe, and as Robert said it's Beautiful 😍 and what got me too was how fresh the air smells ❤
I'll never forget the feeling I got the first time I saw those mountains and that valley. I made shortbread yesterday using your recipe, happy to say my two sons are devouring it. 👍
I see my people!! Chisholm, now Chisum. Legend has it every time a Chisholm got in trouble they either dropped or changed a letter in their last name and moved.
You're telling me something new. In the 70s I read a book entitled 'The Battles of the North' In which it stated that 7 members of the Macdonald clan were murdered. The term massacre was used as the infamy of the breaking of clan hospitality, not used in the context of numbers of victims.
Can anyone give me a top 10 list of things to see in Scotland if you had limited time? I'm planning a trip next spring and just wondering what would be the most popular places to visit.
I am a MacRaighnaill (Irish) by my Mother . The first Mac Donald was Donald MacRaighnaill . Like many highlanders , they were Scots Irish . After Glencoe , the Campbell's came to the north of Ireland , and massacred many there also . What is also of interest , is that many Campbell`s have fully integrated into Irish communities , play Gaelic games etc .
They came from Fort William with murder mind The Campbell had orders, King William had signed Pit all tae the sword, these words underlined And leave none alive called MacDonald (chorus) They came in the night when the men were asleep That band of Argyles, through snow soft and deep Like murdering foxes, among helpless sheep They slaughtered the house o' MacDonald
Interesting ...explain why when my grandma was adoption and her father married A Campbell there cold relationship ....I'm sure mid late 1800s there be this tension . I was my heritage possible link Canadian Metis lineage Baron Strathcona and hidden family might had thru HBC Isle Lewis 🇨🇦♾️MbMNO ..Nee Smith
We drove through this area two weeks ago and stayed in the area for a night. It was one of many highlights on our trip and have come back home to Oz having loved our week in Scotland and with plans to come back.
Magnificent! And special to me. My mother's people were "Alexander MacDonalds". I always say "the Campbells didn't get us all... I'm here!". I stayed at a nearby B&B with a nice woman named Campbell. I didn't tell my mother. 😁 Thanks for telling the whole story.
Robert, as always, you have added such lovely richness to the bones of history. Glencoe is so beautiful, even though it's been touched by such betrayal.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful videos about Scotland. I will probably never have the chance to go there, but I feel as though I have learned so much and experienced history and culture through your work. I especially enjoy your dry sense of humor! Blessings!
Woo HOO!! Death AND religion!! Fascinating history. Amazingly beautiful scenery. The narrator isn't bad either 😂😂😂 I'll have you know I stopped another video to come watch this! That's how important death and religion in history is!!!
Such a sad part in history. I don't recall this in our history class in the US. I swear you should have been a history teacher. The scenery is breathtaking. On your video it looks like such a peaceful place. Thank you, that was a lot of information you had to compile. Funny, my maiden name is Hamilton and ex family is McDonald.......geeezzzz
My nana told me a story from her headmaster when i was a kid.. that when the soldiers came looking for shelter.. one soldier @ a fire warned the family he was staying with. While petting the dog by the fire he said if i was a wie dog id noe be staying by the fire id be out with the hills.. or some such
My Poppie has always told me of the story of the Macdonalds and Campbell’s as he is a proud MacDonald. He and my dad have been to Glen Coe and I only wish I could see my ancestral clans homeland
As if Glencoe history wasn't fascinating enough, there is a town in Ohio named after it....supposedly. The population as of 2020....264. It's a very small village that's only been around since 1855.
I have ancestors who lived in Glencoe, and were killed at this massacre, with the survivors immigrating to Ireland where they would remain until immigration to America.
250 years from now people will probably be discussing Ruby Ridge in the same tones.... "and the Government got away with it" will be the sad same ending too.
It's the same for Scotland as it is in the Church of England, today, and many other churches. Ceremony, pomp, dislike of others and very little Christianity, unless you're coming into this country from a certain demographic; then they bend over backwards for you. The "religion", denomination thing, greed and bitching has been a lot of our downfall, in Scotland. Rich Chiefs, many of them, and troublesome religious nuts on both sides;including Kings, Queens and many high heidyins. It's still happening today, at home and abroad. The massacre was typical rotten cowardice by those in power, that still happens today through many means, laws, corruption etc. Tha cead agam seo a ràdh search gur e Gaidheal a tha annam , às Innse Gall, air gach taobh dem theaghlach, cho fada air ais nam eachdraidh agus gabhas lorg .( I have a right to say this since I am a Gael, from the Hebrides, on each side of my family, as far back as can be traced.
I uploaded my DNA to the ancient DNA site and confirmed my old DNA is mostly Gael and Celtic. I come from the YOUNG clan along the southern border. There aren't many towns to go visit! Looking at this place, it looks so desolate. How did they survive??
Achingly beautiful is a perfect description. I’m Scottish myself, and I can honestly say that the first time I visited Glencoe, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of “home”, like nowhere else I’ve ever been. Scotland has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, much of it could be considered more stunning than Glencoe, but nowhere have I ever felt what I feel when I put my feet on that magnificent landscape. Thanks for this excellent telling of the tale. Far more detailed than any others I’ve heard. New subscriber here! 🙌🏴
Drove up here many years ago, i remember going into an Inn in the Village and on the door it said no Campbell's or hawkers. Thanks for the history one of the many tragedies from Scotland's past.
the story will never be forgotten! Campbell cooked mouth, meaning he lies! I am a Turnbull and 1 if the infamous border reivers! and I think it was James the 5th/3rd came up to the borders to make an example of us! in linnen wraps we were decimated, 1 killed, 1 sent to America, 1 sent to Australia, 1 left here, and the options started again! that's why there are thousands of us in the US, and Australia!
I saw an interview with the Clan Chief Campbell. In his hoy polloy accent he stated that his clan were right to fight with the English at the battle of Colluden. Never trust a Campbell indeed
My DNA showed me that I come from glencoe. I have always at a problem living in hills around me are in building around me. Think it's because I think I have to get a way out.
Well presented, and thanks for the footage. You are right, it is an achingly beautiful place. I can see why one would weather such harshness to experience the raw power of nature first hand. My last name is Corskie, and the family myth goes that they are survivors of Glencoe (a branch carried the tartan, apparently). The story has it that they changed their name to the maternal lineage in order to evade detection. I have no way to verify this, currently, and how they ended up in Aberdeenshire is also unexplained. A heavy, but true, story to pass on through a name, either way.
I have been to glencoe and walked inside the little house. We got a very watered down version of this story, thank you for the much further explanation. I could’ve bought the book but I decided to buy a different book so I didn’t want to buy two books at once. I live in Indiana so I was on a budget lol but really thank you!
Thanks for this new bit of education. Sad betrayal. But, you're right.... the land is gorgeous, according to your video. I'm still hoping to go some day.😊
It even looks amazing in the video! I can't imagine how astounding it must be in person! Terrible but not surprising history there, but that's what happens when you get caught between powers. Thanks for sharing - if ever I visit Scotland, I will definitely have that area on my list!
“Achingly Beautiful!” Is the perfect way to describe it. Tragedy can be found everywhere if you look hard enough, but that betrayal of trust just yanks the heartstrings so much harder. Poor guy was giving them a dram too 😢. So unnecessary. Those mountains/hills? Are quite breathtaking and definitely one to visit ❤
Ah, these are actually from Epidemic Sound. I have to use a creator specific site to avoid any copyright issues. The first ten seconds is "As We Dream" by Aerian and it switches over to "In Frozen Waters" by Hampus Neaselius. I didn't think they would be on Spotify but turns out they are!
