OT: 28 July 1923 – John McCallum “Playing of Piobaireachd”

The Oban Times, 28 July, 1923

Playing of Piobaireachd

Taynuilt, 21st July, 1923

Sir,–Referring to the letter of “A Lover of the Old Music,” there was a special competition at the Oban Games a few years before the War, at which “Cumha Phadruig Oig” was one of the prescribed tunes. John MacDonald, Inverness, was the only piper who played it, and I can well recollect how everyone present who had some knowledge of the music was electrified before he had played many bars. The late Mr. Fraser of Lochawe Hotel and Carraig Thura was beside me at the time, and was greatly uplifted. John MacDonald deservedly got the first prize, and, like the writer, I am surprised no one has taken up the tune since then. –I am, etc.,

John McCallum