MacCrimmon (piping family)

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The MacCrimmons (Gaelic: MacCruimein) is a Scottish family that served as pipers to the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for several generations.^[1] The MacCrimmon kindred was centred at Borreraig near the Clan MacLeod seat at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye. At Borreraig the MacCrimmons conducted one of the best known "piping colleges" in the Highlands of Scotland.

Over time many pieces of Pìobaireachd (also known as Ceòl Mòr: "Big music") have been attributed to the MacCrimmons by oral tradition, yet the actual authorship of these cannot be verified.^[2] Popular lore and the transmitted Gaelic "oral tradition" has made the MacCrimmon pipers one of the most famous families of hereditary pipers along with the MacArthur (pipers to MacDonald of Sleat), MacGregor (pipers to Campbell of Glenlyon), Rankins (pipers to the MacLeans of Coll, Duart and Mull).^[3] The term hereditary in popular lore has been used to imply an above average skill or special status. In the Scottish Highlands, until the Industrial Revolution most elevated social positions in the clan system were inherited, "from the chief down to the humblest cotter".^[4]

Since 1967, the MacCrimmon Memorial Piobaireachd Competition has taken place every year at Dunvegan Castle where players complete to win the 'silver chanter'. Competitors only play tunes attributed to the legendary MacCrimmon family.^[5][6]

The origins of the MacCrimmons has been speculative as little in the way of written history exists. In the 20th century the chiefs of Clan Macleod instated two MacCrimmons as hereditary pipers to the clan. Recent YDNA tests indicate that these two pipers (Canadians by birth) are connected to the MacCrimmons of Borreraig since at least 1770.^[7]