The Massacre of Glencoe, 1692

As I was sitting on the hillock
My sight became impaired.
Left like a forlorn, toddling orphan.

Looking down on the glen
Where we led a merry life,
Till the malice of the false clan broke in upon it.

You left the riders of the proud horses
On Ruidhe nan ruadh-bhoc,
Under the cold snows of the bens.

You left black ruins
Where you were wont to sit,
Behind the yellow burn of Drimamlich.

Thou that dwelt in woody Balerna
Wert the commander of a host,
Thy house was fired and burned to ashes.

This is a translation of part of Gaelic poem remembering the Massacre of Glencoe, composed in 1692. From the Records of Argyll: Legends, Traditions and Recollections of Argyllshire Highlanders, 1885.

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"You are hereby ordered and authorized to march our troops which are now posted at Inverlochy and Inverness, to act against these Highland Rebels ... to burn their houses, seize or destroy their goods and Cattell, plenishing or clothes and to cut off the men."

John Dalrymple, Master of Stair and Secretary of State for Scotland
11 January 1692

'I understand the Larid of Glencoe coming after the prefixt time, was not admitted to take the oath, which is very good news to us here ...'

Sir Thomas Livingstone, Commander-in-Chief of the King's forces in Scotland
25 January 1692