The first historical figure connected with Glen Coe was Fingal, one of the Celtic heroes and the leader of the Feinn, warriors of Gaelic mythology. In the eleventh century, ownership of the glen then passed into the hands of his descendants, the powerful MacDougall clan.

The MacDougalls managed to build up a small empire in western Scotland. However, this was all to collapse in 1308 when they sided against Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. In a gesture of thanks for his support during this conflict, Robert the Bruce gifted Glen Coe to the MacDonalds, namely Angus Og, their chief.

Then followed a period of relative calm until the year 1501, when disputes flared up between the Glen Coe MacDonalds and the neighboring Argyll Campbells. The conflicts were fueled by continued raiding and cattle rustling by the MacDonalds and the attempts by the Campbells to extend their territory.

These troubles rumbled on into the middle of the 17th century. This was also the period of Scotland's involvement in the Scottish Wars of the Covenant, during which the MacDonalds and the Campbells found themselves on different sides. The MacDonalds were forever associated with Royalist and rebel causes, while the Campbells became increasingly involved with the authority of government. In reality it was a tragic battle between two very different ways of life - the carefree and somewhat lawless highlanders, and the followers of the ruthless central government.

The final chapter in this tragedy began on 27th August 1691, when King William III in London offered a pardon to all Highland clans who had fought against him or raided their neighbors. But it was on the condition that they took the oath of allegiance before a magistrate by 1st January 1692. The alternative for failing to comply was death. MacDonald Clan Chief, MacIain of Glen Coe, reluctantly agreed to take the oath, but mistakenly went to Inverlochy in Fort William instead of Inveraray near Oban. He finally reached Inveraray on January 6th, well after the deadline.

MacDonald believed that, despite this delay in taking the oath, he and his clan had done their duty and were now safe. But unknown to him, a force had already been assembled at Inveraray and given orders to exterminate the whole clan. This force, led by Captain Robert Campbell of Glen Lyon, a man with a grudge against the MacDonalds, left for Glen Coe on the first of February. When they arrived at the MacDonalds village, Campbell asked for quarters for his 130 soldiers. It was the custom in those days to offer lodging to visitors, so the troops were put up and entertained for 10 days.  

On the night of the 12th February, Robert Campbell received orders to kill all MacDonalds under seventy years of age. This was to take place at 5 am the next morning. In the early hours of a cold winter's morning the soldiers rose from their beds and set about to massacre all of their hosts, with whom they had been living on friendly terms. It was this act of treachery in response to hospitality that makes this event such a heinous crime. Although only forty were killed, many more escaped to the hills only to die of hunger and exposure.