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The Seventeenth Century
The Massacre of Glencoe
Morag is the granddaughter of Niall, Chief of Clanranald. She has been having nightmares and her parents think it might help if she goes to stay with her Aunt Mary in Glencoe. They think a change of scenery will be good for her.
But the nightmares continue and even become worse. Morag can never remember the dream when she awakes, only that it has frightened her. Morag hopes that if she ignores her dreams they will go away. Then her aunt tells her that she might have second sight as it runs in the family. This frightens Morag even more.
These are troubled times. King James II is exiled and there is a new King on the throne - King William. The highland clans had fought for King James but they had been defeated. Now they have to take an oath and pledge their loyalty to King William. MacIan, chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe did not want to sign the oath and he left until the last minute but he did sign - eventually.
Then one hundred and twenty Redcoats come to the glen. Morag looks at the soldiers and thinks they are somehow familiar. They frighten her.
The Redcoats stay in the glen and practise drilling and the highlanders give them hospitality. Morag has an increasing feeling of danger. One night she forces herself to face the danger. She has the dream again but this time, when she wakes, she does not struggle to shake it off as she usually does. Instead she wills herself back to sleep because, if her dream is a warning, she must understand it.
She sees inside the hut where the Redcoats sleep. But they are not asleep. The hut is lit by candles and the Redcoats are fully dressed and holding their weapons as if they are about to go into battle.
Morag wakes up and this time she remembers her dream. She knows that the Redcoats mean to kill them all. But is Morag in time to save the MacDonalds or is it already too late?
This story about the Massacre of Glencoe is given an extra dimension by Morag coming to terms with her second sight. There is also the message that we must confront our fears, not run away from them.
Illustrated in black and white throughout.
Comes with useful notes on:- the Massacre of Glencoe, the Glorious Revolution, Scottish bards, second sight.
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