Search online for piobaireachd tutor books, schools, local teachers and those who give lessons over the internet. You could also go along to a Highland games or competition and speak to pipers who will be keen to give advice. If you join the Society you have access to our own list of teachers, details about our Bursary Scheme, our Summer School and our extensive archive of written and played ceòl mòr. The good news is you can join right now here.

Lament Lady MacDonald’s

Title

Alternative Title

Cumha Bain Tighearna Mhic Dhomhnuill

Artist

James Campbell on goose, Duncan MacFadyen, John A MacLellan, WM MacDonald, Donald MacPherson, Malcolm R MacPherson

Members can access all recordings, proceedings of the annual conference and interesting articles.

Click here to sign up or log in

Information

Binneas records that this tune is stated to have been composed by Angus MacArthur in the year 1790. MacArthur was piper to the MacDonald family and on the death (which is said to have taken place on the 18th October 1789) of Elizabeth Diana, Lady of Alexander, first Lord MacDonald, he composed the tune. In book 8 of the PS collection it is said that this tune is not only to be found in Angus MacArthur's manuscript, but also in Angus MacKay's published book. Angus MacKay states that his version of the tune us taken from the original manuscript of MacArthur which at that time was in the possession of the Highland Society of London, who had indeed commisioned it.

Judges Note 2013

A beautiful and fairly familiar tune, composed by Angus MacArthur , and appearing also in Angus Mackay's and David Glen's collections. The main difference is that MacArthur times the doubling of the ground in 6/8 as opposed to common time in PS 8. Whichever approach is taken it is important not to allow this variation to become too slow and monotonous.

Another difference is in bar 4 line 2 of that variation, where MacArthur and Glen have a long B followed by a very short low G, and Binneas has an E grace note on low G and no B at all.

A fairly long tune which requires concentration so as not to miss small potential traps, such as the appearance of a D in the last bar of lines 1 and 2 of the taorluath and crunluath singlings, whereas there is no D in the doublings.

Buy the book here.

Available in:

PS Book 8, Kilberry, Binneas, MacArthur MacGregor Manuscript of Piobaireachd (1820)

Angus MacKay Book Lady MacDonald's Lament
David Glen's Book Lament, Lady Elizabeth MacDonald’s
John Smith MS MacLeod of MacLeod's Lament
MacArthur MacGregor MS 24 Lady MacDonald's Lament