***James of the Glen Memorial***
South side of Ballachulish Bridge
The story of what happened here truly got to me. For a while now, I've wanted to place a lifting stone at this spot as a mark of respect for James Stewart of the Glen, who was wrongly convicted. It's also a way to ensure that the brutal injustice of what occurred here is never forgotten.
To set the scene: Colin Campbell, famously known as "the Red Fox," was shot in the hills of Appin by an unknown assailant. At the time, many suspected Allan Breck Stewart of Appin, believing it was revenge for Campbell's involvement in the devastating Highland Clearances. However, Allan Breck fled the country and was never brought to trial. (Interestingly, Allan Breck was a Jacobite supporter and was immortalized in Robert Louis Stevenson's classic book and film, Kidnapped.) Despite the accusations, it was widely believed that he did not commit the murder.
However, the head of Clan Campbell – the most powerful clan in the area and staunch supporters of the English Hanoverian government – saw this as a prime opportunity. They aimed to send a chilling message to all Jacobite sympathizers.
