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Lament for the Laird of Anapool

Title

Alternative Title

Cumha Tighearna Anapuill

Artist

Jack Lee, Bill Livingstone, WM MacDonald (with discussion in John MacDonald's house in Inverness)

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Information

Nothing was known of a place called Anapool, nor of the Laird, and it was conjectured that Unapool in Sutherland might be meant. However it has been discovered that Arnaboll is a farm on the west bank of Loch Hope, in north-west Sutherland, and that the Laird, Donald MacKay, was a second cousin of Iain Dall Mackay. Donald's wife Marion was a relative of Iain's patron, Robert Munro of Foulis. This makes it certain that the the composer is Iain Dall MacKay. The date of composition is probably the first 20 years of the 1700s. There is another picturesque legend, where is is called "In Praise of the Rainbow", with MacKay being given as the composer. The discovery was made by Bridget MacKenzie and the full story can be found in her book " Piping Traditions of the Isle of Skye" pp 190-191. Iain Dall's chanter, which has now been replicated, has a beautifully true high G.

Judges' Note 2014

Composed by Iain Dall Mackay, the tune is similar in structure to Lament for the Children. (Mackay was taught by Patrick Og MacCrimmon, whose father composed Lament for the Children.)

Most will play the tune as per PS 9. A good high G and excellent top hand technique are essential. The tune is a lament, and needs to feel like one, but at the same time it is a long piece and so mustn't drag. There is an attractive setting in Angus MacArthur's book which has a slightly different timing of variation 3, different expression of high G embellishments and other grace note differences.

It was said that, for some reason, "John MacDonald wouldn't touch this tune"!

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Available in:

PS Book 9, MacArthur MacGregor Manuscript of Piobaireachd (1820)

Angus MacKay Manuscript Laird of Anapool's Lament
Kintarbert (Angus MacKay) Manuscript The Laird of Anapool's Lament 63
Neil MacLeod Gesto Canntaireachd 18 Lament for the Laird of Ainapole
John MacDougall-Gillies Manuscript Lament Lord Annapools
Colin Cameron Manuscript 48 Lord Anapool’s Lament
MacArthur MacGreogr MS 28 Lord Arnaboll's Lament