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Red Hand in the MacDonalds’ Arms

Title

Artist

Dr Angus MacDonald, WM MacDonald

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Information

The composer of this tune is not known. The story is that Somerled of the Isles had three sons, Dugald, Reginald and Duncan, who disputed which of them was to have the lands in Sleat in Skye. It was arranged that the three of them were to race from a neighbouring island in boats, and that the first to place his hand on the lands should have them. Dugald was left far behind. The plug came out of Duncan's boat, and he stopped the hole with his thumb and looked a likely winner. Reginald, lying second, placed his left hand on the gunwhale of his own boat, cut off the hand with his sword and threw it ashore, and so was declared the winner.

The tune first appears in Angus MacKay's book, where it's structure is irregular. This is explained in the note in PS book 10. It is also published by David Glen, who appears to follow Angus MacKay exactly. In Ceol Mor the first line of the three 18 bar movements is marked to be repeated.

Judges Note 2014

A secondary piobaireachd, which would normally have a 6:6:4 structure, but with two extra bars in line 3 of the ground, thumb and second variations. The notes in PS 10 suggest that these bars might be omitted, so this is a possibility. This might be a pity, however, as the appearance of the 'extra' bars could be seen as giving an extra dimension to the tune as it progresses through the variations and could help in the animation of the piece.

A tune of 'rhythm' produced by the open birls, which pipers should be careful not to rush, rather than a tune of 'melody'.

The first low A in the last bar of variation two should be low G.

The low A minims which appear in variation four are to be re-written in the forthcoming re-print of Book 10 as low A crotchet/taorluath/low A crotchet, which better represents how it is usually played.

Although not indicated in Angus Mackay's book, nor in PS 10, a crunluath a mach would be a fitting conclusion for this tune.

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Available in:

PS Book 10

Angus MacKay Book The Red Hand in MacDonald's Arms
David Glen's Book The Red Hand in MacDonald’s Arms
Judges Note 2018 Red Hand in the MacDonald's Arms
Dwelly MS Red Hand in the MacDonald's Arms