Annotation:MacLean of Pennycross March

Find traditional instrumental music

Back to MacLean of Pennycross March


MacLEAN OF PENNYCROSS MARCH. AKA - "Captain MacLean of Pennycross," "McLean of Pennycross March," "MacLean Yr. of Pennycross' Welcome to the 93rd." Scottish, Pipe March (2/4 time). A Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB'CCDD'. Composed by Pipe Major Allen Ferguson. Christine Martin (2002) says this Highland pipe march has crept into the North East fiddle tradition, albeit rendered with different bowings and style to West Coast Scottish playing.

From The Celtic Montly of December, 1902 (No. 3, vol. XI):

The Macleans of Pennycross are descended from the Lords of Duart, chiefs of the clan, through John Dubh, second son of the first Hector Mòr of that ilk. They have always occupied a prominent position in Clan Gillean, many of the members of the family taking naturally to the profession of arms, in which several have attained great distinction.

The present head of the house of Pennycross, Captain Chas. Alex. Hugh Maclean, of the 93rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, worthily maintains the martial traditions of his race. He received his education in Edinburgh and various parts of the Continent. In 1893 he joined the 48th Highlanders of Toronto, Canada, serving also in Quebec and Montreal. Two years later he was transferred to the British Army, proceeding to India to join the 93rd Highlanders. Here he saw service in the Tirah Campaign and received the medal and clasp. Last year he was appointed adjutant of the Stirlingshire Volunteers.

In June, 1897, he married Miss Maclaine of Lochbuie, a lady well known in the Highlands, and who, not only on account of her ancient lineage, but because of her kindly disposition and amiable personal qualities, was ever a welcome visitor to many a humble dwelling in her native Island of Mull. By this marriage the two sides of the house were united. His son, Alasdair Gillean Lorne, was born 30th April, 1901.

Source for notated version: Arthur S. Robertson (Scotland) [Hunter].

Printed sources: Glen (David Glen's Collection of Highland Bagpipe Music, Book 13), 1886; No. 56, p. 32. Glen (The Music of the Clan McLean), 1900; p. 10. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 349. Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; p. 118.

Recorded sources: Parlophone B3245 30-2006 Br 2633 (78 RPM), William Ross. Olympic 6151, Arthur Robertson - "Scottish Traditional Fiddle Music" (1978).

See also listing at:
Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [1]
Hear a recording of the march by at Tobar an Dualchais [2] [3]
Hear the march played by piper William Ross at the Internet Archive [4]




Back to MacLean of Pennycross March