Wessex Tattoo 1999 - Massacre of Glencoe Script
Wessex Tattoo 13-14 February 1999 “Massacre of Glencoe” Special
Curtains Open
Band of the Hampshire Constabulary
Tunes to include Road to the Isles. 10 mins.
Curtains close. 2 Spots light the stage 1 on ghost of MacIain and 1 on ghost of Campbell
P/Sgt Iain MacNeill plays "John MacDonald of Glencoe" on pipes
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.
MacIain
Murdering a man and his family in his own house can never be right.
Sir John Dalrymple, Master of Stair enters from the darkness into the spotlight.
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.
Massed Pipes & Drums - Cock o’ the North, 2 parts Pibroch of Donald Dhu 4 parts Stay on floor.
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 aye - 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 MacDonald’s 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.
Massed Pipes & Drums - Wi’ a Hundred Pipers march off Colins’ Cattle, 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!
Band of the Hampshire Constabulary
English Warlike music - 10 minutes
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.
Massed Pipes & Drums - The Campbells are coming, Glendaruel Highlanders.
Campbell
You brought it on yourself. 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
But see here Campbell, how I gave you and your troops true Highland hospitality for 10 days.
MacIain and Campbell descend from stage to the floor and take their place in the ceilidh. Around hovel and fire.
Led on by Fiddler and Accordion. Followed by country dancers then Gaelic singer. Highland dancers
After ceilidh - spot on stage lights Dalrymple.
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 choir stand and put others to death - some running off screaming. When done everyone is still and the choir - still standing -have their heads bowed.
P/Sgt John MacDonald plays Ballad of Glencoe solo all the time of the carnage then stops . Moments silence then John Scott stands and sings Ballad of Glencoe verse one then choir joins etc. - backed by police band and pipes.
MacIain to Campbell.
In murdering me and my kin you violated the highland code of hospitality.
Campbell
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 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, on this anniversary of 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!
MacIain
The matter is finally settled. Henceforth, may our clanfolk work together for the good of Scotland and Britain.
All Bands strike up Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree and all march off.
First Half ends
Second Half
Massed Pipes & Drums march on & form circle. (Ian McL will announce)
Men of Argyll, Molly Connel, Orange & Blue, High Road to Linton, The Kilt is My Delight
Reform & March Off Lochanside.
Band of the Hampshire Constabulary (10 Mins)
Highland & Scottish Country Dancers (10 mins total)
Sunset Ceremony
Massed Pipes & Drums march on
Liberton Boys
Massed Band (Police & Pipes)
Amazing Grace Solo Piper Olivia McLennan
Highland Cathedral Solo Piper P/M Nathan Colbern
Choir of South Wilts Grammar School for Girls
Scottish Melodies 5 minutes - with accordian
Band of the Hampshire Constabulary
Rule Britannia Soloist Karen Brockway
Evening Hymn & Last Post
Lone Piper - P/M Roger Huth
Massacre Of Glencoe (Ceol Mor - Urlar)
Band of the Hampshire Constabulary
National Anthem
Massed Pipes & Drums
Flower of Scotland (x2)
Auld Lang Syne
Massed Bands (Pipes & Police)
We’re no awa’ tae bide awa’ (pipers start on “C”)
Heilan’ Laddie
The Black Bear
Thank you, Goodnight & Haste Ye Back
ROAMING IN THE GLOAMING
Massacre of Glencoe Front Page
Duncanson's Order
Ringwood Pipe Band Homepage
Email: ianmclennan@btinternet.com
