BAGPIPE> MacCrimmon stuff attached
Scott Williams
I've had about a dozen requests for the MacCrimmon information so I
thought I'd just send it along to everyone at once instead of having to
send it out individually.
My apologies to those of you who didn't want it. You can use your
delete button to get rid of it!
Yours,
Scott.
The MacCrimmon Family Tree
__________________________________________
The information below was taken from
information compiled by Malcolm R. MacCrimmon
and G.C.B. Poulter, F.S.A. (Scot.), and by James E. Scott.
__________________________________________
1. Petrus Bruno: born about 1425, he is credited with introducing
canntaireachd (vocables used to transmit piobaireachd from teacher to
student).
1.1 Padruig
1.2 Angus: born about 1475, Angus settled on Skye
(According to James E. Scott (Piping Times, Nov. 66) the father of Iain
Odhar, below, was Donald MacCrimmon, celebrated piper to Red Hugh
ODonnell, an Irish chief whose territory embraced nearly all of County
Donegal.)
1.2.1 Iain Odhar: born about 1500, it is believed that he studied the
art of
piping in Ireland. He became the first of the hereditary pipers to
MacLeod of MacLeod when he was appointed by Chief Alasdair
Crotach and granted him land at Borreraig. It was here that he
established a college of piping and became its principle teacher. Over
the course of seveal generations, listed below, hundreds of students
came to Skye to be perfected as pipers by the MacCrimmons. He also
composed MacCrimmons Sweetheart which some believe was a
tribute to his beloved bagpipes. (Others say it was a cow!)
1.2.1.1 Padruig Donn: born about 1530, he was the second of the
hereditary pipers to MacLeod of MacLeod and followed his father as
principle instructor at the MacCrimmon college of piping.
1.2.1.1.1 Donald Mor: born about 1570, he was the third hereditary piper
to MacLeod of MacLeod and followed his father as the third principle
instructor at the MacCrimmon college of piping. A prolific composer,
he is said to have composed A Flame of Wrath for Squinting
Patrick(1590) when his younger brother was murdered by a
MacKenzie. Donald is said to have followed his brothers murderer to
his place of refuge and torched the thatched roofs of the houses in the
village, playing his piobaireachd as the fires burned. His other
notable
compositions include Lament for the Earl of Antrim(1595),
MacLeods Salute(1603), MacDonalds Salute(1603), Donald
Dughall MacKays Lament(1640), MacLeod of MacLeods Rowing
Piobaireachd, MacLeod of Raasays Lament, MacLeods
Controversy(1603), Grain in Hides and Corn in Sacks, Too Long
In This Condition(1590), Lament for Donald of Laggan(1635), and
The Earl of Rosss March. Donald Mor died about 1640.
1.2.1.1.2 Padruig Caogh: Squinting Patrick, he was born about 1590. He
left
Skye to become piper to MacLeod of Glenelg and was later murdered
by a MacKenzie while washing in a stream.
1.2.1.1.1.1 Padruig Mor: born about 1595, he became the fourth
hereditary piper to MacLeod of MacLeod and principle instructor at
the MacCrimmon college of piping. He is said to have been the
greatest piper of all the family. He is credited with devising a new
method of canntaireachd and of composing many piobaireachds, the
most celebrated being Cumha na Cloinne, the Lament for the
Children(1640), composed following the deaths of seven of his eight
sons. Another composition attributed to Padruig Mor (by Dr. Norman
MacLeod) is I Got A Kiss Of The Kings Hand(1651), though this is
disputed, the credit sometimes given to John MacGurmen, a piper to
the Earl of Sutherland. Additional piobaireachd composed by Padruig
Mor include John Garve MacLeod of Raasays Lament(1688), Lament
for the Only Son, The Drunken Groat and Lament for Rory Mor
MacLeod. Padruig Mor died about 1670.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Padruig Og: born about 1645, he became the fifth
hereditary
piper to MacLeod of MacLeod and principle instructor at the
MacCrimmon college of piping. He appears to have lived into the 18th
century. James E. Scott writes that he was twice married, and had
twenty children, only three of whom came to years of maturity, Donald
Ban, John and Malcolm. The family tree prepared by MacCrimmon
and Poulter shows at least two additional children surviving.
Among his many pupils, Padruig Og taught Iain Dall MacKay, the
blind piper to MacKenzie of Gairloch. Having heard that his teacher
was dead, John Dall composed Lament for Patrick Og. Discovering
that the rumour was false, he decided to visit his teacher at Borreraig
and among the tunes he played was the lament. Padruig Og asked
about it and hearing the story, said, I must learn to play my own
lament. Together, teacher and pupil composed the Half-Finished
tune - Am Port Leathach. Padruig Og described it as half-finished
because he had written two parts and Iain Dall had written the third.
Padruig Og also composed The Pretty Dirk and possibly Lament
for John Garve MacLeod of Raasay (according to Ruaridh Mor
MacLeod, Piping Times, Dec. 73, page 13). Another of Padruig Ogs
illustrious students was Charles MacArthur, piper of Sir Alexander
MacDonald of Sleat. Charles remained with Padruig Og some eleven
years and upon his return both student and teacher played for Sir
Alexander and his house guest, Iain Dall MacKay. Sir Alexander tried
to keep Padruig Ogs identity a secret until after Iain Dall had heard
both pipers play but was not deceived. He recognized immediately the
playing of his old teacher. Sir Alexander, it is said enjoyed that
night
the music of the three best pipers in all of Scotland, Padruig Og and
his two famous students, Iain Dall MacKay and Charles MacArthur.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1 John, became piper to MacKenzie, the Earl of Seaforth.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2 Farquhar, lived in Harris.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.3 Angus
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.4 Peter, an innkeeper at Struan.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5 Malcolm, born about 1690, he became the sixth hereditary
piper to MacLeod of MacLeod and principle instructor of the
MacCrimmon college of piping. He appears to have had a weak
constitution, however, and when his chief went off to fight on the
Government side during the 1745 uprising, he was forced to remain at
of piper to the chief. It was to Malcolm that David Fraser was sent for
tuition by Lord Lovat in 1743, a record of the agreement still
surviving. Malcolm died about 1769.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1 Iain Dubh, born in 1730, he became the seventh
hereditary piper to MacLeod of MacLeod and principle instructor of
the MacCrimmon college of piping. He occupied the family farm at
Borreraig. He is said to have been the composer of The Glen Is Mine
but this is not certain. In 1767, he renounced his offices for himself
and his descendants. In 1795, he left Skye with the intention of
emigrating to North America, perhaps when the rents on his land rose
so high that his salary only covered the half of it but he grew
homesick
while still in Greenock and returned to Skye. He died in 1822 at the
age of 91 and was buried in the church yard at Kilmuir.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.1 Donald
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.2 Peter
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.3 Malcolm, had several sons
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.4 Elizabeth
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.4.1 Mary Ann, m Malcolm MacLoed, Lochmaddy
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.4.2 Effie m ____ Chisholm, Gairnish, South Uist
1.2.1.1.1.1.15.1.5 Janet, m _____ Ferguson in America.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.6 Flora, m _____ MacDonald, Pein-a-Daorir, South Uist
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.7 Marion
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.8 Catherine
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.9 Duncan (his mother was Iain Dubhs second wife, Ann
Campbell).
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.9.1 John, went to New Zealand.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.9.2 Donald, m _____ MacLeod and went to America.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.10 Peter, m Ann MacDonald and later m Margaret
Morrison
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.11 John
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12 Euphemia, m Malcolm Nicholson
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.1 Hector
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.2 John
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.3 Murdo
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.4 John
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.5 Donald
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.6 Catherine
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.7 Ann
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.12.8 Effie
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2 Donald Ruadh, born about 1743, he succeeded his
brother
Iain Dubh as the eighth hereditary piper to MacLeod of MacLeod in
1769 and re-established the MacCrimmon college of piping, becoming
its eighth principle instructor. He occupied the farm at Borrodale.
Though he was younger than his brother, Iain Dubh, he had the larger
land holding and the larger salary. He was reputed to be the better
piper. By this time, however, the position of hereditary piper had lost
much of its significance. The chief of MacLeod was very much
involved in politics and was seldom in residence at Dunvegan, calling
upon his piper only on rare occasions and no longer providing him a
good living for his services. By 1813, Donald Ruadh was living in
Glenelg where he was visited by Alexander Campbell who wrote a
vivid description of the man and of his music (see Piping Times, June,
1967, page 8). In 1814, Sir Walter Scott visited Dunvegan and Donald
Ruadhs cousin, Donald Donn was called upon to play for the chiefs
prominent guest. This would indicate that, although Donald Ruadh
was still nominal piper to the MacLeods, and reputed to have
possessed over 200 tunes, there were other pipers as well who
performed when necessary. Donald Ruadh died about 1825, though the
actual date does not appear in any records. His daughter appears to
have predeceased him and there appears to have been several sons, but
no names are known today.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.1 Patrick, born in North America in 1780, he moved to
Scotland and succeeded his father, Donald Ruadh as representative of
the eighth hereditary piper to MacLeod of MacLeod and principle
instructor of the MacCrimmon college of piping.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2 Donald, born in 1788, he emigrated to Canada in 1820
settling near Woodville, Ontario. In 1837 he succeeded his brother
Patrick as the representative of the eighth hereditary piper to
MacLeod of MacLeod and principle instructor of the MacCrimmon
college of piping.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1 Roderick, born in Skye in 1814, died in Woodville,
Ontario in 1880.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1 Malcolm, born 1851 in Woodville, Ontario, he
settled
in Manitoba. He became the representative of the eighth hereditary
piper to MacLeod of MacLeod and principal of the college of piping.
He died in Edmonton, Alberta in 1928.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.1 Sarah, born 1883, died 1885
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.2 John Arthur, born 1885, he compiled the
MacCrimmon Family History. He died in 1963.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.2.1 Everett K., born 1927.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.2.2 Joyce W., born 1930.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.2.3 Malcolm W., born 1933.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.2.4 Catherine B., born 1934, died 1937.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3 Roderick Murchison, M.B.E., born in Winnipeg,
Manitoba in 1889 and later managed Scotford Farm, Alberta. He
married Christina, daughter of Malcolm MacKinnon of Harris,
Scotland.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1 Malcom Roderick, born 1918, he played
bagpipes in the North Vancouver, Seaforth Highlanders, Edmunton
Boys, and CNR pipe bands. During World War II, he enlisted in the
Calgary Highlanders. He studied piobaireachd under PM Willie Ross
in Edinburgh and transferred to the Scots Guards. He was appointed
the ninth hereditary piper to Dame Flora, Mrs. MacLeod of
MacLeod in 1941. He married Mairi Chisholm of Lewis, Scotland in
May, 1945.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.1 Flora MacLeod, born 1946.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.1.1 Kristy E. Tourigny, born 1973
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.1.2 Kelly R. Tourigny, born 1975
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.1.3 Jeffrey Calum Tourigny, born 1977.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.2 Padruig Malcolm, born 1947
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.3 Iain Norman, born in 1952, he played with
the
Edmonton Boys Pipe Band, became PM of of Viscount Park Pipe
Band and PM of the Clan McBain Pipe Band. He was appointed the
tenth hereditary piper by John MacLeod of MacLeod on September
16, 1978. He was married to Charlotte Watt of Aberdeen, Scotland on
August 18, 1979.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.3.1 Katie Anne, Born 1979.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.1.3.2 Calum James, born 1981
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.2 Annie Isabel, born 1920, died 1978.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.3 Donald John, born 1921.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.3.4 Kenneth, born 1925.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.4 Florence May, born 1887, died 1971.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.5 Sarah Clementine, born 1892, died 1978.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.1.6 Catherine Isabel, born 1895, died 1930.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.2 Donald, born 1854, died 1905
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.3 John M.D.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.3.1 John R.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.3.2 Kenneth H., D.S.O.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.3.3 Alexander M.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.4 Peter, born 1858, died 1934.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.4.1 Hugh Murchison
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.4.2 Wilbur H.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.4.3 Margaret E.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.4.4 Thomas R.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.4.5 Howard MacGregor
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.1.4.6 John R. M.D.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2 Donald, born 1817, died 1902.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.1 Donald
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.2 William
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.3 John
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.4 Norman
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.5 Alex
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.6 Angus
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.7 Katherine
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.8 Christine
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.9 Sarah
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.10 Mary
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.11 Margaret
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.2.12 Dorcas
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.3 Elizabeth
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.4 Ann
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5 Hector, born 1819, died 1876
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1 William Hector
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1.1 Hatena
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1.2 Christiana
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1.3 Hector
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1.4 Percy
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1.5 Norman
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1.6 John Orville
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.1.7 Wilfred Laurier, D.C.M., M.M.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.2 John
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.3 Donald
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.4 Ann
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.5 Mary
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.6 John Hector
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.7 James
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.2.2.5.8 Catherine
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.6 Donald Ban, piper to MacLeod of MacLeod during the 45
uprising. Though his brother Malcolm was probably the hereditary
piper to the clan, Malcolm had a weak consitiution so Donald Ban
accompanied his chief. His name is associated with MacCrimmons
Lament. It is said he had a premonition of his own death at wrote
Cha till me tuille - I will return no more. He was killed at the
Route
of Moy in on February 16th, 1746, the single casuality of that action
and is reported to have been buried in the Chapel Yard, Inverness,
though no stone was erected to mark the spot.
1.3 Fiounlagh: came to Skye with his brother, Angus and settled in
Galtrigall.