Successive governments had tried to punish this wild race; but no large force had ever been employed for that purpose; and a small force was easily resisted or eluded by men familiar with every recess and every outlet of the natural fortress in which they had been born and bred.

The people of Glencoe would probably have been less troublesome neighbours if they had lived among their own kindred.

But they were an outpost of the Clan Donald, separated from every other branch of their own family, and almost surrounded by the domains of the hostile race of Diarmid.

[211] They were impelled by hereditary enmity, as well as by want, to live at the expense of the tribe of Campbell.

Breadalbane's property had suffered greatly from their depredations; and he was not of a temper to forgive such injuries.