13 February 1692: Scottish government soldiers led by Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon fell upon their hosts, the Macdonalds of Glencoe, in a brutal violation of Highland hospitality. 38 members of the Macdonald clan were murdered in an event that would come to be known as the Massacre of Glencoe. This massacre was part of a broader campaign by the Scottish government aimed at suppressing the Jacobite clans in the west and served as a warning to the defiant clan leaders. The massacre was poorly executed, in part due to the reluctance of many soldiers under Glenlyon’s command to betray their hosts, as well as adverse weather conditions. Although Glenlyon was instructed to secure escape routes, he failed to do so. While the Macdonald chief, MacIain, was killed, his two sons managed to escape to safety.
13 February 1746: Duke of Cumberland wrote from Perth to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Andrew Agnew who was commanding at Blair Castle informing him that the Duke of Atholl would shortly be coming to Blair to take possession of his estate following the departure of the Jacobites. He also instructed Lieutenant-Colonel Agnew to seize known Jacobites residing within eight miles of the castle and to seize their effects and burn their homes.
