With the Hon Pipe Major up north, the Society President kept the show on the road with a solid run through our repertoire interspersed with some lesser known piping facts from Iain MacDonald and Martin Wilson. The Society is blessed with some exceptionally knowledgeable members but tonight Iain and Martin were hard to beat. Every day is a school day.
After pies, we had the immense pleasure to hear Kenny McBride play the piobaireachd. Kenny settled his sonorous pipe with a masterclass in 4/4s followed by the MSR of Hugh Kennedy MA, BSc, Inveraray Castle and The Sheepwife. Kenny’s experience and expertise was clearly on show. He finished with The Lament for Donald of Laggan. This was composed by Patrick Mor MacCrimmon and although a relatively short tune has all the hallmarks of a classic MacCrimmon masterpiece and perhaps due to its length is often overlooked.
Iain MacDonald helpfully advised that Donald of Laggan’s daughter, Isabella, was lulled to sleep most nights in her latter years by MacCrimmon playing this lament.
Kenny gave a very fine performance of the tune on a perfect bagpipe. A great end to the night.
Looking forward The Scots Guards Club Knock Out Final is on Sunday June 23rd between Cameron May and Sandy Cameron.
The Eagle Pipers' Society, Edinburgh 