FAMOUSPIPERS AngusMacKayPart1
AVoicefromBedlam–TheSecretDiary
ofAngusMacKay,TheQueen’sPiper
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the death ofAngus MacKay a towering
figure in the history of world piping.To mark the occasion we begin a major
retrospective on the life of the man whose influence is still very much with us today.
TobeginwehaveareportbythelateRonaldMorrisonwho,beforehediedin2004,
translatedforusthesometimesharrowingdiarykeptbyAngusduringhistimeinSt
Mary of Bethlehem Hospital in London (‘Bedlam’).The diary was written mostly
inGaelicandhiddenfromtheauthoritiesatthetime.Therearefewpipingreferences
but it is telling indicator of the decline,probably from syphilis,of this epic figure.
BY RONALD MORRISON
A
NGUS MacKay (1813-1859) In 1844, a banquet was held in
stands at the pinnacle of the Windsor Castle at which Queen
post – MacCrimmon era. Victoria entertained the Emperor of
Undoubtedly he was a genius who France, King Louis Phillipe and his
died at an early age. But before his Queen. The occasion was unique
untimelydeathhepublished,in since it was the first visit to
1838, a collection of 61 BritainbyareigningFrench
tunes, a publication monarch. It was also
which has been remarkable in that part
regarded with the of the entertainment
highest esteem by included a recital by
professional pipers Queen Victoria’s
since that time, piper Angus
p a r t i c u l a r l y MacKay from the
devotees of ceol island of Raasay
mor. For a young appointed the
manofonly25years previous year, 1843.
this book was an Remarkable, too,
a s t o n i s h i n g that a hundred years
achievement and previously the bagpipe
Angus’s contribution to together with Highland
piobaireachd playing can dress had been, to all
never be over estimated. It intents and purposes,
was he who ensured via his outlawedinanefforttodestroy
system of staff notation – a system the very culture which Angus now
whichisthecurrentmethodstillused represented. Consulting Queen
today – that the heritage of the Victoria’s‘Highland Journal’we learn
MacCrimmons would be handed thatAngus was recommended to her
down through the generations. by Lord Breadalbane who remarked
13
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