Piobaireachd of the Week: Silver Medal: Catherine ’s Lament

This tune has also been known as “the Fraser’s Gathering” or “Fraser’s Salute” and is said to have been composed by Calum MacRobert Ceard. The Gaelic word ceard means a tinker. General Thomason gives the composer as Rupiart an Ceard. Another source says that Catherine was Rupert’s wife. Angus Mackay’s manuscript gives the composer as Calum MacBaileart Cheaird.

Piobaireachd of the Week: Silver Medal: Lament for Alasdair Dearg Macdonell of Glengarry

The Gaelic word dearg means red, and was probably the colour of Alasdair’s hair. The Glengarry clan was part of the great Clan Donald, but always adopted the spelling Macdonnell. The Macdonells of Glengarry supported Prince Charles in 1745, and were at the battles of Preston, Falkirk and Culloden. The piobaireachd “Lament for Alasdair Dearg” was recorded in the MS of Donald Macdonald and Angus Mackay and in the Campbell canntaireachd.