The Appin Murder

The Appin Murder of 1752 has been transformed into Legend by Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel "Kidnapped". However, the real story is closer to home.

The legend is based on local clan rivalry between the Campbell's, who were in favour with the Hanoverian government of the time, and the Stewarts of Appin, who were jacobites. The story goes that the "Red Fox" - Colin Campbell of Glenure, a government agent was on his way to evict a local tenant when he was shot in the back by an unknown assailant. The suspicion fell on Alan Breck Stewart, the colourful character in Stevenson's book. Wisely, Breck, who was probably innocent fled for his life.   A local man, James Stewart, in whose house Breck had stayed, was immediately arrested. At his trial in Inverary he was found guilty of being art and part of the murder plot, and was hanged on the 8th of September 1752, at a spot beside the present site of the Ballachulish bridge in a public spectacle. It is almost certain he did not have anything to do with the murder, but eleven out of the fifteen jury members were Campbells and so it is doubtful if his trial was fair. His body was gruesomely allowed to hang for several months as a warning to the local people. There is now a cycle path that runs along the old roadway and the various Appin Murder sites can be visited either by foot or by the road.

There are still various local sites that are worth visiting which were the original sites involved in the murder. Well worth a visit!

We have even been honoured to have had members of the Robert Louis Stevenson club stay at the Hotel. They enjoyed a great couple of days visiting the Appin Murder sites near to the Hotel which was a great attraction in Scotland for many of the International visitors with the group.

There was even a recent attempt by a member of the Scottish parliament to have the case reopened and looked at by the Scottish criminal review body.

If you want to visit one of the most fantastic areas of Scotland and have a short break in a seafront Scottish Hotel, the HollytreeHotel and Swimming Pool is for you.....

Haste Ye Back

The Holly Tree Hotel,
Kentallen, by Appin, Argyll PA38 4BY.
Telephone: (+44/0)1631 740292
Fax: (+44/0)1631 740345
Email: stay@hollytreehotel.co.uk