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Battle of Bealach nam Brog

Title

Artist

Tom Speirs, John Don MacKenzie (unpublished setting), Roddy MacLeod, James Campbell on goose

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Information

This tune is said to commemorate an encounter between a force of Munro's and Dingwalls and a body of adherents of MacKenzie of Kintail which apparently was notable for the slaughter of important people. No place name Bealach nam Brog (The Pass of Shoes) has survived, and the exact date of the conflict is not known, although it is thought to be around 1452. The battle took place somewhere north of Ben Wyvis.

The setting played by JonDon MacKenzie is contained in Thomason's Ceol Mor, without some cadences in the variation doublings

Judges Note 2026

- No major techical difficulties and likely to be a popular choice.

Background

• Date and exact location are uncertain since no place name Bealach nam Brog (The Pass of the Shoes) has survived
• Wildly irregular tune:
- 8,8,11,6 – Ground
- 9,9,12,7 – Thumb
- 8,8,6,6 – T & C
• Musical phrases of varying length
• Similar in construction to MacLeod’s Short Tune
• Published sources – PS Book 9, Ceol Mor (Thomason)
• PS Setting based on Angus MacKay’s MS

More information – PS Editorial Notes (Bk 9), History & Structure of Ceol Mor (Haddow)

Comments / Discussion Points

• A relatively short tune with no major technical difficulties – likely to be popular with competitors
• PS setting most likely to be presented
• Bar 5, Line 1 (Ground and Thumb) - option to hold the second B and use the Low G as a link note
• Opening 2 bar phrase (G & Th) – options for Low A as a link note or full pulse (also Bar 7, G Line 1, 2nd Time and Bar 8, Thu Line 1- 2nd Time)
• Bold battle tune, but could also be presented as a softer lament
• Two bar phrasing in Lines 1 & 3 of the Ground & Thumb; several options for Line 2 – could be considered as one long phrase with positive flow and forward motion. Opportunity to emphasise the High As in Line 2 (Thumb) to bring out the music.
• Low Gs in TS and CS – often presented in a clipped manner. A softer approach with a little ‘weight’ on the Low G could also be considered – nice and smooth. Good strong theme notes throughout.
• TS and CS – controlled entry to the line endings (Hiharin) – demonstrating poise, control and musicianship
• Bold treatment in TD and CD – rhythmic and forceful
• Two options for line endings in CD – even approach on Low A to C (or B) before the Hiharin movement OR straight through to the Hiahrin movement (as per D MacLeod interpretation)

Recordings

• Key discussion points – Blair Chanter
• Sample recordings – Tom Speirs (from PS website)
• Sample recordings – Roddy MacLeod (PS Website)

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Available in:

PS Book 9

Angus MacKay Manuscript V2 Battle of Bealach nam Brog
John MacKay Manuscript Nameless (Battle of Bealach nam Broig) 15
Colin Cameron Manuscript 35 The Battle of Progue