The history of Glencoe
There are so many fascinating historic sites in Glencoe and the surrounding area. Each artefact or location makes for the perfect sightseeing opportunity and there’s something for everyone; however, did you know that there are many historical events that have happened right here on the Woodlands Estate? From ancient burial cists to old railway lines, it’s all going on!
Ballachulish House
As you make your way towards the top of the Woodlands Estate, you can peak through an arch in an ancient stone wall where your eyes will be met with the sight of the beautiful and baronial Ballachulish House.
Once the seat of the Stewart clan in Ballachulish, this house has seen more drama than a soap opera, and its glorious walls have enough stories to keep historians & ghost hunters entertained for a lifetime. Originally built in 1640, the house has witnessed centuries of intrigue, betrayal and a few fiery endings, literally!
The 17th & 18th Centuries
Let’s rewind to 1692, when Major Duncanson of King William II’s army was a guest in the house. It was here that he issued orders for the infamous Glencoe Massacre to commence.
Then, during the Jacobite Uprising in 1746, Hanoverian soldiers set it ablaze. Thankfully, the house rose from the ashes in 1764, only to find itself embroiled in yet another grim tale.
In 1752, Colin Campbell was busy evicting tenants from Jacobite estates when he was shot in the back. The murder weapon? A bullet lodged in a nearby yew tree. The crime caused such a stir that King George II offered a hefty reward and what followed was one of the largest murder hunts in the nation’s history.
Enter James Stewart, an unlucky local who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite most people believing he was innocent, James was put through a sham trial, found guilty and hanged near the ferry crossing. To add insult to injury, his body was left hanging for 18 months, with a soldier stationed nearby to ensure everyone got the memo! Meanwhile, whispers suggested the real culprit was Donald Stewart of Ballachulish House, who had already fled Scotland.
Books & spooks!
If all that wasn’t enough to earn the house a reputation, its spooky credentials were solidified by Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Kidnapped, which immortalised its blood-soaked history.
And of course, no Scottish mansion worth its salt would be complete without a ghost story or two. Ballachulish House boasts its very own headless horseman! It’s said you might catch a glimpse of him galloping through the mist, presumably in search of his head or just trying to make an appropriately dramatic entrance.
So, whether you’re into history, hauntings or just a good old-fashioned tale of intrigue, Ballachulish House has it all. It’s a place where the past isn’t just remembered, it practically leaps out at you, sometimes headless and on horseback! Take care as you pass by!