Donald MacDonald was born on Skye in 1776, was an excellent piper, and after a career as a soldier settled in Edinburgh, where he was a noted bagpipe maker. His instruments are highly sought after, and the style defined the Highland pipes in those critical years of change.
MacDonald collected tunes from many old pipers he met, and he assembled two manuscripts of music, one of which was published. The settings for these tunes are different than those found in Angus MacKay, Piobaireachd Society and the Kilberry Book, and for many years the "Donald MacDonald Quaich" competition on Skyue has highlighted these beautiful arrangements.
This book is based on one of the first ever books which attempted to put pipe music, and in particular piobaireachd, on the stave. It contains valuable musicological and historical analysis of the original book by Donald MacDonald (first published in 1820) plus edited versions of MacDonald’s scores. The authors are Dr Roderick Cannon and Keith Sanger.
Tunes included are: The Prince's Salute, The Finger Lock, Donald Gruamach's March, Lament for the Duke of Ham,ilton, Glengarry's March, Too Long in this Condition, The End of the Little Bridge, The Rout of Glenfruin, The Sister's Lament, Boisdale's Salute, Craigellachie: The Grants' Gathering, The Gathering of the MacDonalds of Clanranald, The Sword's Lament, Mary's Praise, The Groat, Lament for Patrick Mòr MacCrimmon,The Departure of King James, The Birth of Rory Mòr MacLeod. Lament for Ronald MacDonald of Morar, Lament for Samuel (The Stewarts' White Banner), Lord Breadalbane's March, Black Donald's March, The End of the Great Bridge.
