Glencoe. The Scene of the Massacre

Category

Library Item

Item no

24446

Title

Glencoe. The scene of the massacre

Description

A collection of small crofts (cottage type farm buildings) sit in a rugged landscape where features such as rock formations, rough grass and trees can all be seen in the foreground whilst in the background, the high and imposing mountain range of the Glencoe Mountains are visible.

Artist / maker

Valentine, James

Date

1865

Size

18.9 x 23.8 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Glencoe is a glen (or deep valley) that runs between mountainous land in the Scottish Highlands from the wild and empty Rannoch Moor, up north towards Glencoe village near Loch Leven.

The village was one of settlements of the MacDonald clan who were brutally murdered during the Glencoe massacre in Feb 1692. The massacre saw the soldiers of Clan Campbell, under orders from the Master of Stair, John Dalrymple, kill 38 men, women and children during the night despite having been house guests of the Clan MacDonald members who had given them shelter when they had said Fort William was full. The massacre caused outrage in Scotland who, despite being used to war and violence, saw it as a particularly callous crime and an enquiry was held by the Scottish Parliament who declared that it was an 'Act of Murder' and Dalrymple was forced to resign his post.

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Related subjects

Agriculture and fisheries > Agricultural and fisheries facilities > Crofts

Landscape > Land > Grassland

Landscape > Land > Mountains

Landscape > Land > Rocks

Places > Scotland > Glencoe

Places > Scotland > Highlands

Places > United Kingdom > Scotland

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