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King’s Taxes

Title

King’s Taxes

Alternative Title

Mal an Righ The Kings Tribute The King's Rent

Artist

Hector MacFadyen, Andrew Pitkeathly, Murray Henderson, William MacLean, Angus MacLellan, Iain Speirs, RU Brown, Robert Reid, Chanter lesson by Robert Reid, Robert Wallace, Malcolm R MacPherson, Willie MacCallum

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Information

This tune is thought to refer to the time when the clan system gave way to permanent rents and taxes. Bridget MacKenzie thinks that it describes Rory Mor's defiance, refusing to pay the King any of his estate rents. There is a pencilled note in Angus MacKay's manuscript suggesting it to be a MacDougall tune and it appears that he got the tune from Ronald MacDougall.

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.

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PS Book 5, Kilberry, Binneas

Angus MacKay Manuscript The Kings Mal an Righ
Kintarbert (Angus MacKay) Manuscript The King's Taxes 66
Colin Cameron Manuscript 66 Mal an Righ, The King’s Taxes
David Glen's Book King’s Taxes
John MacDougall-Gillies Manuscript King's Taxes