From the National Archives of Scotland
Document of the Month
The sentence of death passed on James Stewart, who was
hanged on November 8, 1752, for being an accessory to the
murder of Colin Campbell of Glenure, a government factor on
the forfeited estate of Ardsheal.
In May of that year Glenure had been shot dead near
Ballachulish while on official business. The Appin Murder,
as the event became known, shocked the country at the time
and has remained a cause célèbre ever since. Robert Louis
Stevenson immortalised the murder in his novel
Kidnapped
The main suspect was Allan Breck Stewart, but he escaped
to France. James Stewart, the brother of the estate's
former owner, was found guilty of being an accessory to the
murder. He was sentenced to be hanged on a
conspicuous eminence above the ferry at
Ballachulish and his body to be left hanging in chains.
a Gibbet to be erected by the said Sheriff on a
Conspicuous Eminence upon the south side of and near to the
said ferry… James Stewart upon Wednesday the eight day of
November next according to the present stile betwixt the
hours of Twelve at noon and two o' clock in the afternoon,
to be hanged by the Neck upon the said Gibbet by the hand
of an Executioner until he be dead. And thereafter to be
hung in Chains.
Many people were convinced that James Stewart was
innocent
. Even Glenure's relatives did not think he fired
the fatal shot. Only Stewart families in Appin know the
identity of the real killer and they are sworn to
secrecy.
To mark the 250th anniversary of the Appin Murder,
National Archives of Scotland are presenting an exhibition
telling the story of the killing through contemporary
letters and papers from the trial. It includes the
description of Allan Breck issued to customs officers and
James' death sentence.
Murder in Appin, 1752 runs in General Register House
from November 8, 2002 till February 14, 2003 (closed
December 25-26 and January 1-2). The display will then be
transferred to the West Highland Museum in Fort William,
from March 5 till June 4, 2003.
Previous Documents of the Month
May
Treaty of Perpetual Peace
June
Register of Sasines
July
Architectural sketch of seaside shelter
August
The shirt with a message in Hindustani
September
Letter to Charles II in 1664
October
18th century map of Africa
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