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The MacCrimmons (Gaelic: ''MacCruimein'') were a Scottish family, pipers to the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for an unknown number of generations.〔Gibson, pp. 127–135.〕 The MacCrimmon kindred was centred at Borreraig near the Clan MacLeod seat at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye. At Borreraig the MacCrimmons taught at one of the best known "piping colleges" in the Highlands of Scotland. Over time many pieces of ''Pìobaireachd'' (also known as ''Ceòl Mòr'': "Big music") have been attributed to the MacCrimmons by popular tradition, yet the actual authorship of these cannot be verified.〔Collinson (1966), pp. 174–198.〕 Popular lore has made the MacCrimmon pipers one of the most famous families of ''hereditary pipers'' along with the MacArthur (pipers to MacDonald of Sleat), MacGregor (pipers to Campbell of Glenlyon), Rankins (pipers to the MacLeans of Coll, Duart and Mull).〔Gibson, pp. 138–143.〕 The term ''hereditary'' is not a native Gaelic term, though in popular lore it has been used to imply an above average skill or special status. In the Scottish Highlands, and in Europe as a whole, until the Industrial Revolution most positions were inherited, "from the chief down to the humblest cotter".〔Gibson, pp. 13–14.〕 Since 1967, the MacCrimmon Memorial Piobaireachd Competition has taken place every year at Dunvegan Castle where players complete to win the 'silver chanter'. Competitors only play tunes attributed to the legendary MacCrimmon family.〔(Bagpipe Journey ) bagpipejourney.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-20.〕〔('The Silver Chanter MacCrimmon Memorial Piobaireachd Competition' ) thetimes.co.uk. August 12 2008. Retrieved on 2013-09-20.〕 The origins of the MacCrimmons is debatable; even the genealogy of the pipers themselves is the subject of debate and speculation. In the 20th century the chiefs of Clan Macleod instated two MacCrimmons as hereditary pipers to the clan. == Origins == The origin of the MacCrimmons is vague and has long been debated. One fanciful theory originating from Captain Neil MacLeod of Gesto was that the MacCrimmons descend from an Italian from the city of Cremona. Gesto was an intimate friend of Black John MacCrimmon (d 1822) the last hereditary piper to MacLeod, and it is reputed that from him Gesto received the "Cremona tradition". According to Gesto, the founder of the MacCrimmons was a priest from Cremona named Giuseppe Bruno, whose son Petrus (or Patrick Bruno) was born at Cremona in 1475 and later emigrated to Ulster in 1510. On Patrick's arrival in Ireland he then married the daughter of a piping family and Gaelicised his name.〔Collinson (1975), p. 144.〕 Gesto's origin for the MacCrimmons is not taken seriously today. According to Alastair Campbell of Airds the tradition was "fuelled by a non-Latinist finding the word 'Donald' in a 1612 Latin charter to Donald MacCrimmon, is that they were Italians from Cremona".〔 It is generally accepted that the surname may be of Norse origin, with ''MacCrimmon'' being an Anglicised form of the Scottish Gaelic ''Mac Ruimein'' meaning "son of ''Ruimean''". ''Ruimean'' is possibly a Gaelic form of the Old Norse personal name ''Hroðmundr'' which is composed of the elements ''hróð'' (meaning "fame") + ''mundr'' (meaning "protection").〔(McCrimmon Name Meaning and Origin ) Retrieved on 2008-02-05〕 While this name origin would seem to tie in with the MacCrimmons' association with the MacLeods and the Isle of Skye the earliest references to a MacCrimmon (who were also pipers) appears in Campbell lands. The earliest reference is found in a bond of manrent of November 29, 1574 between Colin Campbell of Glenorchy and "John Tailzoure Makchrwmen in the Kirktoun of Balquhidder and Malccolme pyper Mackchrwmen in Craigroy", this reference being over ninety years before the MacCrimmons are found as pipers to MacLeod of Dunvegan in Skye.〔 Another early reference is to a "Patrik Mcquhirryman, piper", mentioned in the ''Register of the Privy Council'', vol.5 (1592–99), who is mentioned in connection with a crime in Perthshire.〔Gibson, p. 336.〕 Alastair Campbell of Airds speculated that MacCrimmons were pipers to the Campbells of Glenorchy prior to the MacLeods of Dunvegan and Harris.〔Campbell, p. 273.〕 By the mid-1690s the MacCrimmons are confirmed to have been located in the Hebrides and seem to have been recognised as masters of their craft. An order from John Campbell, Earl of Breadalbane to his chamberlain, Campbell of Barcaldine reads: "Give McIntyre ye pyper fforty pounds scots as his prentises(hi)p with McCrooman till May nixt as also provyde him in what Cloths he needs and dispatch him immediately to the Isles".〔Gibson, p. 154. Rory Halford MacLeod dates the first quotation at 1698, however Keith Sanger gives 1697 referencing Breadalbane accounts dated 1697 ("Item sent with John MacIntyre the pyper at your Lordships desyre to be given McCrooman pyper in the Isles, £40")〕 The order seems to relate to a statement written by the mentioned earl of Breadalbane on April 22, 1697 at Taymouth in Perthshire: "Item paid to quantiliane McCraingie McLeans pyper for one complete year as prentyce fie for the Litle pyper before he was sent to McCrooman, the soume of £160" (modern translation: "Item, paid to Conduiligh Mac Frangaich (), MacLean's piper, for one complete year, as apprentice fee for the Little Piper before he (Little Piper ) was sent to MacCrimmon, the sum of £160").〔Gibson, p. 69.〕 The MacCrimmon instructor that is referenced to may well be Pàdraig Òg.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「MacCrimmon (piping family)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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