Official Clan MacTavish Society

                                    since 1997

A Perspective of the Massacre
Robert Gunn, Author and Historian

This article may be freely shared and distributed for use by various clan organisations and Scottish societies, with permission and consent of the author so long as the link to the author's page is included. http://members.aol.com/skyelander/index.html

"We (the Scots) are a race of leaders. But you can't all be leaders, therefore, we
tend to fight one another."
- Nigel Tranter

NOTE:::PLEASE READ: - This is a perspective. This is a very sensitive subject to Scots. Whilst I do not apologise for the essay I do understand the feelings of modern day Campbells. I do NOT hold (or blame) present day Campbells responsible for the actions of their forefathers, nor should anyone else. I am sorry if anyone takes this personally, it is simply history. I stand by this account and the history within.

Now for the story......

                          Preface and Historical Background
-------------------------------------------------
Scotland was divided by its geography: to the Southeast lay the Lowland farms, big cities and the Border country. To the North lay the Highlands and Isles. Quite unfairly for the people that gave Scotland its name - the Scots (of the Irish Scotti), not everybody saw the Gaels as civilised - especially the Lowlanders. But it was from the Lowlands that from the 11th century onwards that Scotland would be ruled. This would serve to differentiate the Scottish people throughout most of their history.

Whilst the Highlanders and Islanders were seen as wild and uncivilised by the Lowlands and the English, the Highlanders saw their Lowland counterparts as simply another type of English. These differences would be fuel to the upcoming heated and controversial subject of Glencoe.

While the Lowlands adopted the English language and customs for various, complicated reasons, the Highlander largely spoke Gaelic and became increasingly seen as 'alien' and barbaric. A quote from King James VI of Scotland is a typical example: "As for the Highlands, I shortly comprehend them all in two sorts of people: the one that dwelleth in our mainland that are barbarous and yet mixed with some sort of civility. The other that dwelleth in the Isles and are all utterly barbarous, think no more of an goat, than wolves and wild boars."

This lack of understanding would lead the Lords of the Isles (The clan Donald - MacDonald) into more and more trouble with the kings. With no central authority in the Highlands a strong Chief was the only protection and the only law a clansman could turn to when in need. Nothing was held with higher value of this unwritten law, than the hospitality of a chief to his guests. This breech of highland hospitality plays a vital part in our understanding of the massacre of Glencoe.

Tragedy at Glencoe

International a.k.a.  Dunardry Heritage Association supports Clan MacTavish interests worldwide and includes both the Dunardry and Stratherrick Clan MacTavish sites.

MacTavish International a.k.a.  Dunardry Heritage Association supports Clan MacTavish interests worldwide and includes both the Dunardry and Stratherrick Clan MacTavish sites.