The school is in full swing and yesterday we travelled by car from Sleat to Sconser for the ferry to Raasay. We piped down the slipway, we piped up the on-ramp, we piped on the way across, and we piped up the road to Raasay House, now a hotel.
Why Raasay? Well this island should be a pilgrimage for every serious piper. It was, after all, the home of John MacKay. He it was who was sent by his master MacLeod to the MacCrimmons at Dunvegan for tuition.
By The Editor
He it was who fathered Angus. Yes, Angus the Great, MacKay. They lived on a croft not far from the salubrious ‘big hoose’, leaving when Angus was aged 10 for Drummond Castle.
John taught his sons all the music he had had from the MacCrimmons – and he wrote great pieces himself. We’ll hear some of them at Oban and Inverness this year: MacLeod of Colbeck and Lament for Captain Donald MacKenzie to name two.
At the hotel we dipped into the library where it is eminently possible that Lady Doyle, MacLeod’s daughter, put John’s playing onto the stave. Maybe she taught young Angus to write music here. It was fascinating to think that 200 years ago this could all have been happening on the very spot on which we stood.
A few refreshments then up to the grave of John. Here’s what the inscription says: ‘This plaque commemorates John MacKay of Raasay 1767 – 1848 the last great piper to have had lessons from the MacCrimmons.
‘He was the best player, composer and teacher of his day and through his expert pupils, John Ban MacKenzie, Angus MacPherson, Donald Cameron and his own four sons, the playing of the great music was carried forward faithfully to all the top pipers of the present time.’
We did the photos and then PS Music Editor Jack Taylor ignored the midges to give us the ground of Colbeck. All done, it was down the trail, pipes ringing out, the magnet of the Raasay Distillery drawing us on.
Hosts of German tourists leapt forward snapping away as we approached. One said that having heard the pipes in such idyllic surroundings, his holiday was now complete. Our day was complete after a spending an hour in the bar with a taster courtesy of the management.
Down to the pier now, piping all the way, with tunes during the return crossing, MacLeod’s Rowing Piobaireachd, Black Donald’s March.
Back to Sabhal Mòr in time for supper and the evening ceilidh: The Lament for the Only Son from Brian Lamond, ‘Pipers Meeting’ tunes from Jack, Ronald MacDonald of Morar from me, Auldearn No1 from Catriona Hill, Chisholm’s Salute from Iain Moncrieff, MacSwan of Roaig from Allan Hamilton, Beloved Scotland from Peter Candy, then to close the wonderful singing from Brian on guitar.
Tonight we have our final ceilidh and competition.
