A priceless chanter from the 1600s is being returned to its native land after more than 200 years in exile. The chanter once belonged to the legendary Blind Piper of Gairloch, Iain Dall MacKay, who was born at Talladale on Loch Maree and trained as a piper on Skye. MacKay (1656-1754) was a true Gaelic bard. He was not only a piper, but he also accompanied his poetic songs on the harp. But it’s his piobaireachd compositions that established his reputation as one of the greatest pipers who ever lived. His descendant, John Roy MacKay emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1805 and took the chanter with him.

The chanter remained there until St. Andrew’s Day 2010, when the current owners (brothers Donald and Michael Sinclair, related to the MacKay family) decided it should be returned to its homeland. It is now on display at Glasgow’s National Piping Centre. Dr Hugh Cheape, a former curator at National Museums Scotland and a student of bagpipe history, said: “To think that these timeless pieces of music were possibly composed and played on this very chanter will be awe-inspiring for fans of the tradition.” Lady Oona Ivory, founder and vice-chairwoman of the National Piping Centre, added: “We are delighted that this donation is going to be housed in the National Piping Centre. It will enhance the exhibition, which already contains many interesting and wonderful artifacts that allow us to understand our rich piping heritage.”

But not everyone is happy. Dr. John Gibson, a piping scholar in Cape Breton, believes the transfer breaks Canadian heritage law, which forbids the export of national treasures. He has taken legal advice to get it back.