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End of the Great Bridge

Title

Alternative Title

Clan Cameron's Gathering Tune Ceann na Drochaide Mhoire

Artist

Iain Speirs, RU Brown, Malcolm R MacPherson, John MacDonald of Inverness (V2 only), Robert Reid

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Information

Some say this tune was composed to commemorate the Battle of Inverlochy in 1427 but many claim it was composed long after the actual battle as it was unusual for the bagpipe to be used at that particular time. Henry White says that the bridge referred to is the bridge built by General Wade a few miles below Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire, and it was at this bridge that the Jacobite Highlanders had their first engagement with the Hanovarian Army.

Malcolm MacPherson was a grandson of Calum Piobaire MacPherson, and son of Angus MacPherson. He was a renowned contemporary of John MacDonald of Inverness. The recordings were made in his later life when circumstances were not ideal. They reflect the style of playing indicated in the collection Binneas is Boreraig, which was compiled from Malcolm MacPherson's playing by Dr Roddy Ross.

Judges Note 2011

The PS and K settings are, to all intents and purposes, identical. Alternative settings, such as Ceol Mor and Donald MacDonald, contain minor differences.

The introductory E before the low G and low A theme notes in the urlar and thumb variation is shown long on all of the source manuscripts and collections, the low G and low A themselves being short. The E can, of course, be played shorter with some of the emphasis passing to low G and low A. Sensitive handling of these notes was felt to be the key to expressing these variations.

The second low A in bar 3 of line 2 of the urlar and thumb variations and the low G at the start of the next bar are sometimes reversed.

There are several different ways of expressing the cadence on B in bar 3 of line 3 of the urlar and thumb variations. Donald MacDonald and Thomason have a simple G grace note on D before the B.

Iain Speirs can trace his teaching via Donald MacPherson to John MacDougall Gillies. Robert Reid was a pupil of MacDougall Gillies. Here is Robert Reid playing the tune.

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Available in:

PS Book 2, Kilberry, Binneas

Donald MacDonald Volume 1 End of the Great Bridge
Hannay-MacAuslin Manuscript Ceann Drochaid Mhoir The End of the Great Bridge
Angus MacKay Manuscript The End of the Great Bridge
David Glen's Book End of the High Bridge
John MacDougall Gillies Manuscript: End of the Great Bridge
Colin Cameron Manuscript 17 The end of the great Bridge
Ballindalloch MS End of the Long Bridge