The Oban Times, 10 September, 1927 Chanter “Notes” and Fingering Beverley, 31 August, 1927 Sir,–The interesting article in the “Oban Times” of the 27th August, on Joseph McDonald’s “Compleat Theory of the Highland Bagpipe” prompts me to enquire into a Chanter “Mystery.” Joseph McDonald’s fingering for high G and A is given as second finger […]
Author: Alan Armstrong
OT: 10 September 1927 – Iain Macrae “The Clan MacRae Chiefship”
The Oban Times, 10 September, 1927 The Clan MacRae Chiefship Glasgow, 22 August, 1927 Sir,–In your issue of the 20th instant I observe a letter from John MacRae Gilstrap, Lieut.-Colonel, in which he endeavours to belittle certain statements I made in my letter which appeared in your issue of 12th instant. It appears to […]
OT: 22 December 1928 – Urlar “Pipe Band Contests”
The Oban Times, 22 December, 1928 Pipe Band Contests Glasgow, 14 December, 1928 Sir,–I welcome very much indeed the sensible letter from “Crunluath” in this week’s “Oban Times” anent pipe band contests. His candid views regarding drum-beating during a pipe band contest are my views, and, I daresay, the views of many other lovers of […]
OT: 8 June 1929 – Somerled MacDonald “Joseph MacDonald and the Noting of Pibroch”
The Oban Times, 8 June, 1929 Joseph MacDonald and the Noting of Pibroch Inverness, 25 May, 1929 Sir,–In reply to Mr. MacInnes’ letter of the 26th April, in your issue of the 11th May, he states that he does not believe that Joseph MacDonald had more than a nodding acquaintance with pipe- playing, and […]
OT: 20 July 1929 – Somerled MacDonald “Joseph MacDonald and Pibroch Notation”
The Oban Times, 20 July, 1929 Joseph MacDonald and Pibroch Notation Woodfield, Inverness, 12 July, 1929 Sir,–I should like to make my meaning clearer when I make use of the word “Fosgailt.” I mean the “Fosgailte” according to what General Thomason calls “Fosgailt,” not according to our “Fosgailt” beat, and where I say “the modern […]
OT: 22 January 1921 – Alexander Macrae “The Clan MacRae”
The Oban Times, 22 January, 1921 The Clan MacRae Shephall Rectory, Stevenage, Herts, 12 January, 1921 Sir,–As some references have been made in the MacRae controversy, now going on in your columns, regarding my history of the Clan, and to the question of a “MacRae Chief,” about which there still seems to be a […]
OT: 15 January 1921 – John MacRae Gilstrap “MacRaes of Kintail”
The Oban Times, 15 January, 1921 MacRaes of Kintail Ballimore, Otter Ferry, 8 January, 1921 Sir,–I notice in your issue of to-day’s a statement in a paragraph under the heading, “A MacRae Highland Wedding,” namely, “Duncan Mor Mac Alister, who led the Clan MacRae at Sheriffmuir,” which is contrary to the historical facts. At the […]
OT: 6 May 1916 – Eilean a Cheo “The MacRaes of Kintail”
The Oban Times, 6 May, 1916 The Macraes of Kintail 1 May, 1916 Sir,–A letter appeared in your issue of the 25th March, 1916, signed “Gaidheal Og” asking for information as to “Which one of the Macraes of Kintail was married to Flora MacKinnon, daughter of the Laird of Strathardale, in Skye? Was it the […]
OT: 27 November 1915 – Review “In the Land of War” by Rev. L. Maclean Watt
The Oban Times, 27 November, 1915 A Padre with the Bagpipes —————- Rev. L. Maclean Watt The value of the present correspondence in “the Oban Times” is well brought out by Rev. Lauchlan Maclean Watt’s experience with the pipes while at the Front. It shows the Bagpipes to be a passport to everyone’s favour, and […]
OT: 27 November 1915 – Allan MacDonald [“The Bagpipe Chanter Scale”]
The Oban Times, 27 November, 1915 [The Bagpipe Chanter Scale] Waternish, Skye, 13 November, 1915 Sir,–Many of your correspondence may be interested in the following quotation from the second edition of the “Encyclopaedia Britannica,” Edinburgh, 1778 (printed for J. Balfour & Co., W. Gordon, G. Bell, G. Dickson, C. Elliott, W. Creech, J. Mcleish, […]
