UB40 singer reveals hotel turned him away due to clan hatred from 1692

UB40's Ali Campbell was turned away from a Scottish hotel due to a clan feud dating back over 300 years.

The Red Red Wine hit-maker was travelling from Land's End to John O'Groats when he decided to stop at a hotel in the Scottish Highlands close to Inverness.

However, after signing the guest book, Campbell was turned away from the hotel because of his surname.

Campbell claimed that there is still animosity directed towards people with the last name Campbell after the massacre at Glencoe in 1692.

One of the bloodiest chapters in Scottish history saw forces loyal to William III, led by Clan Campbell, massacre men, women and children from the rival MacDonald Clan.

The 65-year-old said the 'clan hatred' is still very much alive even after 300 years.

Speaking to The Standard Campbell said: 'I walked from Land's End to John O'Groats and when I got to the Highlands, I think it was Inverness,

'I tried to book into a hotel, I signed the book and the lady said 'excuse me, who is this?' I said 'That's me'. 

'She said 'I'm afraid you can't stay here, sir.' I went 'you're kidding?' She said 'No, Campbells are not allowed here.' 

The singer said he could not persuade the hotel owner to let him stay and was forced to find somewhere else to sleep for the night.

What was the Glencoe Massacre?

The Massacre of Glencoe is a tragic and poignant chapter in Scottish history. 

It took place in Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland on February 13, 1692. 

It was Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, a desperate man who had lost his all through gambling, who carried out the final order. 

An estimated 38 members and associates of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe - including children - were killed by Scottish government forces.

Victims were slain allegedly for failing to pledge allegiance to the new monarchs, William III and Mary II. 

Campbell will perform at the renowned Hammersmith Apollo in London, on December 3 and is hoping for a warmer reception than the one he received at the hotel.

While UB40 are used to selling out arenas Campbell said he prefers 'up close and personal' gigs at more intimate venues.

He said: 'The O2 is a sort of prestige thing and to sell it out is great, but you can never get the sound that you get in a theatre because they weren't really built for that.'

'I'm not self-indulgent, I don't like going out there and doing new stuff or pure dub and everything. I know what people want after 40-odd years of doing it, they want to hear the hits'.

The Campbells were instructed to attack their hosts, the MacDonalds, and 'put all to the sword under seventy'.

The soldiers arrived at Glencoe 12 days before the massacre. They came as friends, seeking shelter due to the fact that the fort was full.

On the night of February 12 as the clan slept the house guests gathered, received their orders from Campbell from and in the early hours of the morning on February 13 set about systematically killing everyone they could.

Some 38 men lay dead the next morning, including the chief, Alasdair.