Jacobite Tours

Arthur Elphinstone was executed - On this day in history History Scotland is your number one online resource for Scottish history and nostalgia, bringing you daily news and expert articles on Scottish heritage, history and events.

The Black Chanter of Clan Chattan

The Black Chanter (Feadan Dubh) is said to have originally fell from heaven, dropped by an aerial minstrel as it hovered over the heads of the MacPhersons at the end of the combat at North Inch - the cracks on the pipe believed to be caused from this fall. The MacPherson piper secured this enchanted pipe, and even though mortally wounded, poured forth the pibroch of the Clan till death effectually silenced his music.

According to tradition, the chanter is endowed with magical properties. The Black Chanter was believed to ensure success not only to the MacPhersons, but also to its temporary possessors, whenever lent to other Clans e.g. the Grants of Strathspey borrowed this magical instrument and its bold war-notes roused their energies and stimulated them to such valour that people would say “no enemy ever saw the back of a Grant.”

According to legend, the Duke of Cumberland was warned by a witch before the battle of Culloden that if the Bratach Uaine (Green Flag) and the Feadan Dubh (Black Chanter) appeared he would be defeated. Ewen MacPherson of Cluny was present at the Battle of Prestonpans with 600 of his Clan, and he accompanied Prince Charlie into England. On the Prince’s retreat into Scotland, Cluny with his men put two regiments of Cumberland’s dragoons to flight at Clifton, fought afterwards at the Battle of Falkirk, and was on his way from Badenoch to Inverness with his Clan to join the Prince when fugitives from Culloden met him with the intelligence of the Jacobite defeat. The MacPhersons, and the Feadan Dubh, had missed the battle.

The Feadan Dubh (pictured) is now housed in the Clan MacPherson Museum, Newtonmore.