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Lament for Colin Roy MacKenzie

Title

Alternative Title

Cumha Chailein Ruaidh

Artist

Stuart Samson, Duncan MacFadyen, James MacGregor, Malcolm R MacPherson, James Campbell on goose, JonDon MacKenzie

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Information

The name of this tune honours Colin Roy MacKenzie, who became 1st Earl of Seaforth in 1623. He had already become Lord Kintail in 1611 when he was only 14 years of age. Colin Roy was a favourite at Court and reputedly the best archer inBritain. He died at the age of 36. Angus MacKay’s father used to play the variations to Craigellachie to this tune, so Angus composed the variations we play today.

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 2012

This long tune follows a three pulse pattern. Memorisation can be a challenge as only two bars within the ground are the same. There is scope for varying the expression of the cadence Es in the ground and for different expression of the last four bars in line 3. Binneas has an alternative, and attractive, way of playing these four bars.
The variations all follow the same straightforward pattern.

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Available in:

PS Book 3, Kilberry, Binneas

Angus MacKay Manuscript V2 Colin Roy Mackenzie's Lament
John MacKay Manuscript Lord Kentail's Lament 3
Kintarbert (Angus MacKay) Manuscript Lord Kintail's Lament (Colin Roy MacKenzie's Lament) 50
Seaforth (Angus MacKay) Manuscript Lament for Colin Roy MacKenzie
Neil MacLeod Gesto Canntaireachd 17 Lament for King James
John MacDougall-Gillies Manuscript Lament Colin Roy MacKenzies
Colin Cameron Manuscript 60 Cumha Chaillean Ruaidh Colin’s Roy’s Lament