Scottish legend of the enchanted 'Faery' bagpipes of Kinlochmoidart

Made by a MacIntyre piper more than 800 years ago the 'Faery' bagpipes of Kinlochmoidart, are thought to be the oldest Highland pipes. The legend is that the MacIntyre piper had a dream where a “faery” (fairy) came to him and said: “Heat up your poker until it’s white hot and pierce the bottom of your chanter side to side and it will make the sweetest sounding pipes in Scotland.” The chanter is the part of the bagpipe upon which the player creates the melody. The 'Faery' bagpipes are said to be the first with two holes. 

The pipes were played at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The Battle of Bannockburn on 23 and 24 June 1314 was a Scottish victory by King of Scots Robert the Bruce against the English army of King Edward II in the First War of Scottish Independence. Legend has it that the 'Faery' pipes have never been played by the losing side of a battle. They are now kept in the West Highland Museum in Fort William (Scottish Gaelic: An Gearasdan) in the Scottish Highlands.

 

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