History Hit has made new documentary A Scottish Massacre – Unearthing The Secrets of Glencoe.
The doc uncovers “an exceptional archaeological discovery” that reveals secrets of the Glencoe Massacre of 1692, one of the Scottish Highlands’ most notorious events. This film premieres on History Hit on November 14th.
Historian and History Hit Founder Dan Snow presents the documentary, which explores a newly unearthed hoard of coins linked to the massacre. The coins were discovered by a team from University of Glasgow and the National Trust for Scotland, led by Dr. Eddie Stewart and Professor Michael Given, during their excavations in the mountain landscape of Glencoe. The hoard was found hidden beneath the hearthstone by student archaeologist Lucy Ankers in the summer house of MacDonalds of Glencoe clan chieftain, Alasdair MacIain, who led his people until the massacre that nearly wiped them out.
The 36 coins, found inside a small pot placed beneath the fireplace stone, may have been hidden by the MacDonald clan in the days leading up to the massacre—or even as they fled from government troops. Each coin holds clues to the personal history and connections of MacIain, with several originating from regions he traveled to, such as France. One coin, depicting Stuart King Charles II and pierced with a hole, may even signify Jacobite allegiance, as it was likely worn as a necklace during a time of intense political division in the Scottish Highlands.
Founder and Creative Director of History Hit, Dan Snow says: “It’s so exciting when a new archaeological discovery ties in with famous historic events. Contemporary accounts tell us some details about the Glencoe Massacre, but many questions remain. So, to hold something tangible from those terrible events, a pot of treasured coins tucked away for safekeeping and then forgotten for centuries, is extraordinary and brings you so much closer to this notorious and important story. This remarkable find sheds new light on a key moment in Scottish history”.
This documentary showcases the ongoing research that the discovery has inspired. History Hit filmed on-site with the archaeology team and historic coin expert Jesper Ericsson, revealing how analysis of the hoard provides new insights into the massacre and life in 17th-century Glencoe. Dr. Eddie Stewart, who co-led the dig, explains the significance of the coins: “This discovery offers an amazing insight into the lives of Scottish Highland clan chiefs in the 17th century and their connections and negotiation of status. For the first time, this documentary explores what these coins mean to the story not only of Glencoe and the 1692 massacre but also the personal travels and mobility of the Highland nobility. Our team of experts has brought to life a moment in time with the burial of this hoard and over a century of collecting practice!”
Professor Michael Given added: “What’s extraordinary about Glencoe is how a single dramatic moment in history can be captured in these everyday objects. A pot of coins hastily hidden under a fireplace, never to be retrieved, tells us of panic, death and loss. The archaeological evidence is also revealing a deep connection between the people of Glencoe and their land. When you understand this relationship you can better comprehend the true magnitude of the trauma they endured when their world was so violently upended in 1692 and their homes abandoned. Each artefact we uncover helps tell this complex story of community and loss.”
Beyond the hoard itself, the film also explores new findings from recent excavations in the settlement of Achnacon, including a beautifully recreated turf-walled house designed by the National Trust for Scotland to resemble 17th-century Highland homes.
History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, an All3Media company
Jon Creamer
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