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Massacre
of Glencoe
Script and show content
Tour 2003
All shows 7pm-10pm
The script and show running order will appear here shortly
Tickets? - Reserve yours now:
tickets@thescottishtattoo.com
Performers
will include Scottish singing stars Moira Kerr & Stuart Barbour
plus
Champion Brass or Military Band, Champion Highland Dancers, First Class Pipes &
Drums,
Royal Scottish Country Dancers and Irish Dancers, Gaelic Singer
The Show Script
Voice Over
In August 1691 King William of Orange decreed that all Highland Clans
swear an oath of allegiance to him by new years day 1692.
Letters of fire and sword would be issued against any Clan failing to
meet the deadline. On 31
December, Alastair MacIain Chief of the Glencoe MacDonalds reluctantly made
his way to Fort William to sign. There, Colonel Hill the Governor, advised that he must swear
his oath at Inverary 40 miles away. Without
stopping, although passing within half a mile of his home, he hurried through
the snow covered mountains to Inverary. Sir
Colin Campbell of Ardkinglass, sheriff of Argyleshire was absent.
The oaths were finally sworn on 6 January 1692.
The massacre that followed has been described as the foulest deed in
Scottish history and left its mark on the Clans MacDonald and Campbell.
Over 300 years later you
will witness the meeting of MacIain and Campbell in heaven and take the
opportunity to help settle their feud.
MacIain looking across gloom to
Campbell
Is that you Campbell? Come to haunt me in heaven after murdering me in my own home?
Campbell
Aye, it’s me - Capt. Robert Campbell of Glenlyon. But I have not come to haunt you Alastair MacIain. Did ye no hear the heavenly music? It’s time for the reckoning. Time to put our story to the test and let the world decide which of us had right on his side. (Gesture to audience so they know they are the world!)
MacIain
Murdering a man and his family in his own house can never be right.
Sir John Dalrymple, Master of Stair
But I say rooting out such a damnable Sept as the MacIains of Glencoe* - the worst in the Highlands - is not a murder but a public service.
Pipes & Drums
Cock o’ the North, 4 parts Pibroch of Donald Dhu 4 parts
MacIain
The music of the Highlands stirs my memory. We MacDonalds of Glencoe gave you Campbells a bloody nose at Loch Awe and rescued Donald Dhu - the last surviving grandson of the Lord of the Isles.
Campbell
A MacDonald yes - but he was only alive because he had a Campbell for a grandmother!
MacIain
I admit we have not always been enemies. These lands were given to the MacDonalds by King Robert Bruce himself - after MacDonalds and Campbells had fought side by side to defeat the MacDougalls who were with Balliol and the English. I was the 12th Chief. Although our clan has never numbered more than 500 we always managed to raise a hundred warriors.
Pipes & Drums
Wi’ a
Hundred Pipers Colins’ Cattle, march off Shoals of Herring.
Dalrymple
Whilst the Campbells prospered with Government support, gaining lands by force, marriage and trickery - you MacDonalds were nothing but murdering thieving scoundrels. Always raiding the lowlands, stealing cattle and taking your plunder back to your smoky stone hovels in the hills. Living on sheep, cattle meat and smoked herring was a savage way of life and your time ran out. The Government could not have lawlessness so something had to be done!
Brass/Military Band
English Warlike music
Campbell
to MacIain
You and others drove me off my lands. Leaving me with drinking, gambling and army pay for my way of life.
MacIain
So that’s why you came for me.
Pipes & Drums
The Campbells are coming, Glendaruel Highlanders.
Brass/Military Band
Including Road to the Isles
Campbell
You brought it all on yourself MacIain. You did not sign the oath of allegiance to King William of Orange until it was too late. That gave Dalrymple, the secretary of state, the excuse he needed to carry out the king’s orders to the letter.
MacIain
But I was only 5 days late and I did sign.
Dalrymple
But you were a Jacobite at heart MacIain and you and your kind were better put to death by fire and sword.
MacIain Gestures to performance area fron stage.
But see here Campbell, how I gave you and your troops true Highland hospitality for 10 days.
CEILIDH - variety of
song, music & dance
Country
Dancers
Moira Kerr
Sings "MacIain"
Moira
Addresses Chief and Clan members – and welcomes cousins from
Ireland to join the entertainment.
Irish Dancers
Gaelic Singer - Emma MacInnes Mod Gold Medallist from North Uist
Highland
Dancers
MacIain
Then, Campbell, my son Alexander noticed that your men were active and making preparations – but he was assured all was well.
Brass/Military
Band (representing the army)
Dalrymple
On the evening of 12th February 1692 my orders, countersigned by King William, were received by Captain Campbell and his true mission became known to him.
Reads out the order from scroll. "Duncanson's
Order"
Campbell
And at 5 o’clock next morning, as a beacon was lit on Signal Hill - I obeyed that fateful order.
Carnage here as the Brass/Military Band stand and shout “Death to the MacDonalds” very loudly – waving hands/instruments etc at the Highland Dancers (the MacDonalds). The dancers stand at the first shout and run around stage screaming. Some will escape and some will die all over the stage! When done everyone is still and the Brass/Military Band - still standing -have their heads bowed. The stage will have some dead bodies laying on it for effect. Stage still dim. Piper plays as the massacre gets under way
Piper/ Pipes & Drums
plays
Ballad of Glencoe solo once through during the carnage then joined by band
playing.
Moments silence then MacIain sings from centre stage spot on, sings Ballad of Glencoe throughout (unaccompanied if possible) At end all heads bowed and silence (audience applause probably unless they are all crying!)
MacIain to Campbell.
In murdering me and my kin you violated the highland code of hospitality.
Campbell to MacIain
Aye and it haunts me to this day - but I had no choice. I had reason enough to kill you but how, when and where was not of my choosing. My quarrel was with you. I spared your sons and grandson and out of 300 of your clan only 38 died that day.
MacIain
But many more died in the hills, from cold and starvation.
Dalrymple
And good riddance!
3 years after the massacre, a commission cleared the king and blamed me for the murders. I had to resign - but when you do your duty and do right - you need not trouble yourself to take the pains to vindicate yourself. I was soon back in favour.
MacIain to audience and joined by Campbell and Dalrymple.
So, more than 300 years after the massacre of me and my clan - we need you to decide which of us is, perhaps, the most guilty.
Dalrymple
Aye, if you believe that the thieving MacIain, gestures to him the MacDonald of Glencoe, was most at fault - shout aye.
Audience responds.
MacIain
And if you think it was Robert Campbell of Glenlyon shout aye now.
Audience responds.
Campbell
But if you think, after hearing our story, that the true culprit was Sir John Dalrymple, Master of Stair and Secretary of State - let it be known now!
Audience responds.
MacIain
The matter is finally settled. Henceforth, may our clans work together for the good of Scotland and Britain.
MacIain & Campbell go off - pals together? Issue
solved after 300 years?
Pipes & Drums March
Scotland the Brave
Interval 20 mins
Second Half
Moira &
Stuart Introduce performers 2nd half
Moira Kerr 2 songs
Pipes & Drums
Own choice MSR set
Country
Dancers
Brass/Military Band
Gaelic
Singer
2 songs
Enter via aisles exit stage left. Lights off
singer, light stage floor
Highland Dancers
Stuart
Barbour
2 songs
Irish Dancers
Pipes & Drums
Country Dancers
Highland Dancers
Irish Dancers
Pipes & Drums
Combined Bands
Highland Cathedral
Brass/Military Band
Evening Hymn & Sunset
Brass/Military Band
National Anthem
Pipes & Drums
Flower of Scotland
Lone
Piper
Moira/Stuart
singalong medley (alternate)
Combined Bands/singers
Auld Lang Syne x 3
Combined Bands
We're no awa' to bide awa', Highland Laddie, The Black Bear
© Ian McLennan. "The Scottish Tattoo" 1999 revised 27 November 2002
The
Scottish Tattoo