I first heard The Fair Maid of Barra when I was a lad of 14. Played by Seamus MacNeil. I thought then and over the last 70 years, that is the best slow air bar none. Had no idea lyrics were set to it, incomprehensible though they are to me. I have read that the tune was written in late 1800s and the lass in question then lived on Barra.
The tune was very popular in the 1960s, when I began playing - I don't think it's much older than that. There was a documentary programme on TV several years ago, including about the home industries on the Outer Hebrides, and one dear old lady from Barra mentioned that the tune was composed for her. I have the music for the tune in my 'Seamus MacNeil Collection' - page 1: the tune was composed by a John Campbell of Barra.
so glad to see especially this song listed, spent hours trying to find any other performances/artists doing this same song to no avail! was sat in the front corner for this recital (assuming it was the one in George Sq)
This took place at noon on the Wednesday, 2 hours before the recital in George Square. This is in the 'Street Café', outside the National Piping Centre. Glad you like the tune, "The Fair Maid of Barra" - one of my favourites since the 60's !
Thanks Ronaldo. Allan MacDonald (also his brother Dr. Angus, and some of their cousins) were in British Caledonian Airways Pipe Band at the same time as I was. But the band was split - 20 players in Scotland and 20 players in the south of England, 450 miles away, so we had separate practices, but had free air tickets to fly on the shuttle. We must have had six MacDonalds in the band altogether !
Wow, that's really nice to know, and maybe a curious coincidence, becouse my piping instructor (which is also pipe major in the band where I play "Brasil Caledonia Pipe Band" in São Paulo city), started his piping lessons in 1986/87 with Mr. John Martin, member of the British Airways Pipe Band. He tells lots of stories from that time and speaks very highly of Mr. John Martin, that he was a great piper and how important he was at the beginning of his career as a piper. He was also who introduced my instructor to Mr. Seumas MacNeil, with whom he began taking classes at the College of Piping thereafter.
I visited Brazil (also Chile and Equador) several times, during my time with B.Cal. (British Caledonian Airways), including Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo, also being flown inland to Uberaba on one occasion. John Martin was also in B. Cal. (not British Airways), and he can be seen on some of my old videos on UA-cam - "British Caledonian Airways Practice 1985 - Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6". British Caledonian Airways ceased to exist in December 1987, when it was taken over by British Airways. My first trip to South America was together with John Martin, when we went to Equador, and were taken to Quito, some 10,000ft. above sea level, so the air pressure was very low and affected the sound of the pipes quite badly !
Hi Piper Bob, sorry for the delay! Play the pipes in Quito, really should be a mess!hehe It is very nice to know that you had the opportunity to meet some places in Latin America, especially São Paulo, where I live. I see all videos of British Caledonia practices in 1985 and are amazing! Seeing the great Alex Duthart in the foreground displaying his admirable technique is also incredible. Our lead drummer is brother of our pipe major and took lessons with Alex Duthart in that time. What a bealtifull time for them! After ten years going to Scotland 1 or 2 times per year to have classes, the two brothers begin a band in 1995. The first name was "Scottish Link Pipe Band" that changed to "Brasil Caledonia Pipe Band" in 2015. Today I'm in the band and I hear a lot stories about this journey. Now in November, we go to Santiago (Chile) to participate in the South American Pipe Bands Championship, organized by SPBASA (Scottish Pipe Band Association of South America). This is sucking our energies but in the end it pays off. Well, it's a great pleasure talk to you and keep uploading the great videos. Best Regards!
I first heard The Fair Maid of Barra when I was a lad of 14. Played by Seamus MacNeil. I thought then and over the last 70 years, that is the best slow air bar none. Had no idea lyrics were set to it, incomprehensible though they are to me. I have read that the tune was written in late 1800s and the lass in question then lived on Barra.
The tune was very popular in the 1960s, when I began playing - I don't think it's much older than that. There was a documentary programme on TV several years ago, including about the home industries on the Outer Hebrides, and one dear old lady from Barra mentioned that the tune was composed for her. I have the music for the tune in my 'Seamus MacNeil Collection' - page 1: the tune was composed by a John Campbell of Barra.
@@piperbob2 That is same version I have and your date is no doubt better than my guess. In any case, t’is great tune.
@@piperg6179 It is.
so glad to see especially this song listed, spent hours trying to find any other performances/artists doing this same song to no avail! was sat in the front corner for this recital (assuming it was the one in George Sq)
This took place at noon on the Wednesday, 2 hours before the recital in George Square. This is in the 'Street Café', outside the National Piping Centre. Glad you like the tune, "The Fair Maid of Barra" - one of my favourites since the 60's !
Amazing, Allan is always great!!!
Piperbob, one more beautiful post. Your coverage of the events are the best.
Thanks again, from Brasil.
Thanks Ronaldo. Allan MacDonald (also his brother Dr. Angus, and some of their cousins) were in British Caledonian Airways Pipe Band at the same time as I was. But the band was split - 20 players in Scotland and 20 players in the south of England, 450 miles away, so we had separate practices, but had free air tickets to fly on the shuttle. We must have had six MacDonalds in the band altogether !
Wow, that's really nice to know, and maybe a curious coincidence, becouse my piping instructor (which is also pipe major in the band where I play "Brasil Caledonia Pipe Band" in São Paulo city), started his piping lessons in 1986/87 with Mr. John Martin, member of the British Airways Pipe Band.
He tells lots of stories from that time and speaks very highly of Mr. John Martin, that he was a great piper and how important he was at the beginning of his career as a piper.
He was also who introduced my instructor to Mr. Seumas MacNeil, with whom he began taking classes at the College of Piping thereafter.
I visited Brazil (also Chile and Equador) several times, during my time with B.Cal. (British Caledonian Airways), including Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo, also being flown inland to Uberaba on one occasion.
John Martin was also in B. Cal. (not British Airways), and he can be seen on some of my old videos on UA-cam - "British Caledonian Airways Practice 1985 - Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6". British Caledonian Airways ceased to exist in December 1987, when it was taken over by British Airways. My first trip to South America was together with John Martin, when we went to Equador, and were taken to Quito, some 10,000ft. above sea level, so the air pressure was very low and affected the sound of the pipes quite badly !
Hi Piper Bob, sorry for the delay!
Play the pipes in Quito, really should be a mess!hehe
It is very nice to know that you had the opportunity to meet some places in Latin America, especially São Paulo, where I live.
I see all videos of British Caledonia practices in 1985 and are amazing!
Seeing the great Alex Duthart in the foreground displaying his admirable technique is also incredible.
Our lead drummer is brother of our pipe major and took lessons with Alex Duthart in that time.
What a bealtifull time for them!
After ten years going to Scotland 1 or 2 times per year to have classes, the two brothers begin a band in 1995. The first name was "Scottish Link Pipe Band" that changed to "Brasil Caledonia Pipe Band" in 2015. Today I'm in the band and I hear a lot stories about this journey.
Now in November, we go to Santiago (Chile) to participate in the South American Pipe Bands Championship, organized by SPBASA (Scottish Pipe Band Association of South America). This is sucking our energies but in the end it pays off.
Well, it's a great pleasure talk to you and keep uploading the great videos.
Best Regards!
Good to read about your band. Good luck next month in Santiago !