Ealtainn – “Domhnall Beag MacLeoid”
Thursday 22 September 2005, 7.30pm, BBC2
A new series of Ealtainn kicks off the BBC’s Autumn Gaelic schedule, starting on Thursday 22nd September with a profile of the life and work of Pipe Major Donald Macleod.
Broadcaster and piping enthusiast Cailean Maclean tells the story of one of Scotland’s most prolific piping composers. From the street pipers in Edinburgh, to the new wave of Celtic bands and musicians, to competitive piping, the tunes of Donald Macleod are popular and loved by many. In this programme some of his most famous tunes such as The Man from Skye, Crossing the Minch and the Cockerel in the Creel are played by Fred Morrison and others.
Born in Stornoway in 1917 the young Donald was taught the pipes by his father “Doyle”. He went on to be tutored by P/M Willie Ross, John Morrison of Assynt House and John MacDonald. As a piper with the Seaforth Highlanders he was captured at St Valery but escaped in 1940 on the march back to Germany. He was appointed as Pipe Major of the Depot Seaforths a year later, when he was only 25 years of age.
After the war he bought the piping shop Grainger and Campbell in Glasgow which became a meeting point and teaching centre for pipers all over Scotland, including members of the Glasgow police pipe band. Despite wining the Clasp 8 times (an achievement only bettered by one other piper – Donald MacPherson who holds the record for 9 wins), family and friends recall an unassuming man who was not only one of the great players and composer, but also a great teacher who taught many of today’s leading pipers.
The Donald Macleod memorial competition is held in Stornoway each year in his honour. The competition is one of highlights of the piping calendar, and invites a number of quality players to compete at the gathering which attracts a large crowd from all over Scotland and beyond.
The programme is presented by Cailean Maclean, was produced by Ann Morrison and directed by Calum Angus Mackay. It can be seen on BBC2 Alba on Thursday 22nd September at 7.30pm and was funded by Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig.
This is the first programme in a new series of 8 Ealtainn programmes, further programmes in the series include the first European tour of USA based Gaelic punk rockers Mile a h-uile Rud; the powerful diaries and poetry of a group of young Lewis men in the trenches of WW1; and the journey of a young guitarist from Skye to meet with the reclusive folk music hero of the Sixties – Davey Graham.
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