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Taigh Seumas a’ Ghlinne

The birthplace of a man once framed for murder, this bothy has a dark tale to tell

Taigh Seumas a’ Ghlinne was home to James of the Glen, who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of Colin Campbell in 1752

It’s not many a bothy that has an interpretation board outside it. But Taigh Seumas a’ Ghlinne is different. For here is the birthplace of a man called James Stewart, aka James of the Glen. His name may not be legendary to many, but dig a little deeper into the tale surrounding the man who used to call this small bothy home and I guarantee you’ll be captivated. Indeed, author Robert Louis Stevenson was – for the history that surrounds it formed the basis of his book Kidnapped.

Back in 1752, on 14 May, a man called Colin Campbell was murdered – shot in the back in Ballachulish. A search was mounted to bring his killer to justice. The finger was pointed at the Stewarts of Appin, as they had been served eviction notices by none other than Campbell himself. James was the one held accountable and – despite him having an alibi for the time of the murder – that same year he was found guilty for being an accessory and hung in November at a place called Cnap a’Chaolais.