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GLENCOE

From Edinburgh, John Dalyrmple ordered the murder of the MacDonald clan of Glencoe. With his legal team, he wrote his orders for Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, who carried out Stair’s final order "to put all to the sword under seventy".

The order of John Dalyrmple, Master of Stair - low quality (modem)
The order of John Dalyrmple, Master of Stair - high quality (ISDN)

The words of the order in full
You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebels, the MacDonalds of Glencoe and put 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 do not come to you at five, you are not to tarry for me, but to fall on. This is by the King's special command, for the good
and safety of the country, that these miscreants be cut off root and branch. See that this be put in execution without feud or favour, else you may expect to be treated as not true to the king's government, nor a man fit to carry a commission in the king's service. Expecting you will not fail in the fulfilling hereof as you love yourself, I subscribe these with my hand.

A permanent reminder of events in Scottish history can also be found in many famous songs and poems.

Listen to Glencoe, sung by Alex Beaton
© words and music Jim McLean

Lyrics
Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave o' Donald
Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe
And murdered the house of MacDonald

They came from Fort William with murder in mind
The Campbell had orders King William had signed
"Put all to the sword"- these words underlined
And leave no one alive called MacDonald"
Listen to Ye Jacobites by Name,
sung by Kenneth McKellar

Lyrics
Ye Jacobites by name. Give an ear, give an ear
Ye Jacobites by name. Give an ear
Ye Jacobites by name. Your faults I will proclaim,
Your doctrines I must blame, You shall hear.

What is right and what is wrong, by the law, by the law.
What is right and what is wrong by the law.
What is right and what is wrong,
A short sword and a long.
A weak arm and a strong.
For to draw.

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