Piping & Piobaireachd Competitions
Clan Donald Lands Trust - Preserving the Traditions of the Gaidhealtachd
The Clan Donald Lands Trust was formed in 1971 to save the last remaining remnants of the once vast clan lands as a focal point for clan history and activity world-wide.
The Trust, a non profit making charitable organisation, holds the lands and properties, not only for MacDonalds and associated names, but also for all who are interested in the conservation of our Highland heritage.
One of the Trust’s objectives is to preserve traditions relating to Clan Donald and the Gaidhealtachd. This is achieved by upholding and supporting some of the music traditions of the Highlands - the Gaidhealtachd.
The Trust holds the Donald MacDonald Quaich Annual Piobaireachd piping competition at Armadale. It sponsors the Junior piping Competition at the Highland Games in Portree, Isle of Skye, the Northern Meeting in Inverness and local Clarsach tuition and has provided 12 Clarsachs on long term loan to local schools.
Donald MacDonald Quaich - Annual Piobaireachd Competition - Isle of Skye
Donald MacDonald was born about 1750. He was the son of Glenhinisdale, Isle of Skye, who had been in the service of MacDonald of Kingsburgh.
Donald became a pupil of the Macarthurs, hereditary pipers to the MacDonalds of Skye. At one stage he moved to Edinburgh where he established himself in business as a maker of Highland and other bagpipes. At that time the premier award for playing of the piobaireachd was a Prize Pipe, awarded annually by the Highland Society of London. The Donald won in 1817 when he was described as piper to the Argyllshire militia.
In 1822 Donald published at his own expense, a book of twenty three piobaireachd, written in a staff notation of his devising which has remained the basis on which other editor of piobaireachd has since worked. Although his book was well received and ran into several editions, the financial return did not permit the publication of Donald’s projected second volume, based on a manuscript, which had been completed before 1830. Donald therefore presented the MS to the grandfather of General C.S.Thomson. Thomson himself used the MS as a reference in compiling ‘Ceol Mor”, a comprehensive collection of piobaireachd published in 1900.
Donald died in 1840, in or close to his ninetieth year. Recently, his work has attracted renewed interest and not only has his book been reprinted but several of his arrangements have been played on Radio Scotland. By his own account Donald refused to confine himself to one school or style of playing and there is therefore variety in the way in which he wrote the standard movements in different tunes. This provides a wide scope for individual interpretation and expression.
The piobaireachd arrangements usually heard today are those published by the Piobaireachd Society, derived mainly from the collection of Angus MacKay, son of John MacKay of Raasay. The competition for the Donald MacDonald Quaich is, however, held to honour the memory of Donald MacDonald.
Donald MacDonald is a seminal figure in the preservation of traditional piobaireachd music. His work provided the foundation on which others are built and without him it is conceivable that much of the Highland musical heritage would be lost. It is for that reason that he is honoured in this competition, held annually by the Clan Donald Lands Trust at Armadale, on the Isle of Skye, and which is currently sponsored by Glenfiddich Pure Malt Scotch Whisky.
The 20th Annual Piobaireachd Competition was held at the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale, Isle of Skye on the 9th June, 2006 at 7.30pm.
The 2006 winner was: Niall Stewart from Kyle of Lochalsh
The Junior Piping Competitions at the Isle of Skye Games are sponsored by the Trust.
The winner of these events in 2005 was Cameron Scott from America
Northern Meeting, Inverness, Scotland, 2007
The Northern Meeting was held on the 30th & 31st August 2007 at the MacDonald Resorts, Aviemore.
The Clan Donald Lands Trust was delighted to sponsor this competition once more and to present the prizes on the final day.
For information on future competitions please contact the Clan Donald Centre.
How to contact us
Armadale Castle Gardens & Museum of the Isles
Armadale, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV45 8RS, Scotland.
Telephone: 01471 844305 or 01471 844227
Fax: 01471 844275
E-mail: office@clandonald.com
If telephoning from outside the UK the numbers are your international code +44 1471 844305 or 844227, or Fax +44 1471 844275.
The direct line to the Museum of the Isles is 01599 534454