Chisholm's Salute

The Chisholm's of Strathglas were at one time Constables of Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness.

The Salute is thought to have been composed circa 1826 to honour The Chisholm – the only Highland Chieftain formally entitled to the prefix ‘THE” before his name. The Chisholm was elected to Parliament in that year.

The composer is not known but may have been a MacDougall from their Oban school. It is thought to be the reworking of an older tune.

Please Note:

‘The Chisholm preserves a relic believed to be of great antiquity. It is the chanter of a Bagpipe to which there is attached a degree of importance, from a supposed supernatural faculty which it is alleged to possess. In whatever way it was acquired, this instrument is said to indicate the death of the chief by spontaneously bursting, and after each successive fracture it is carefully repaired by a silver fillet, being an improvement on the primitive mode of firmly binding it with a leathern thong, which, from a fancied resemblance to the lacing of the Cuaran or buskin, procured it the designation of ‘Maighdean a Chuarain”,–the virgin, or rather, the stick of the Cuaran,–to this instrument.

The family Piper having been from home at a wedding when he heard his chanter crack, and perceived it rent, started up, and observed that he must return, for Chisholm was no more! and it was found to be so.

Kenneth Chisholm, the last family Piper, was taught by John Beag MacRae, Piper to the late Lord Seaforth. He went to America, where he was accidentally killed by the fall of a tree.’

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