smcarth

The MacArthurs of Skye

Listen, Oh Listen!

The antiquity of this ancient clan from Loch Awe is enshrined in the old Gaelic verse which, translated, runs:

The hills and streams and MacAlpin
But whence came forth MacArthur?

This means that even centuries ago, the MacArthur origins were lost in antiquity, and that the MacArthurs had always been there - that is, they were believed to be original settlers on the land. Another ancient saying went “There is nothing older, unless the hills, MacArthur and the Devil.”
At a very early date as well, some of the MacArthurs came to the Isle of Skye, where they became heriditary pipers to the Lords of the Isles.

     According to A HISTORY OF SKYE, Charles MacArthur the piper was son of Angus MacArthur, who was a hereditary piper to the Macdonalds. The Macdonalds maintained a piper in each of their three Baronies, namely Sleat, Trotternish, and North Uist.
     “In Trotternish lived the principal pipers of that clan, the MacArthurs, who maintained the hereditary succession here for several generations. They farmed as a freehold the district of Peingown, in Kilmuir, where a hillock, called Cnoc Phail, is still pointed out as the rendezvous where these pipers and their pupils delighted to practice.
    On the 14th of November 1715, Angus MacArthur piped the Macdonalds of Skye to the onset of the battle of Sheriffmuir, while his son, Charles, practised his profession in the service of Sir Alexander Macdonald during the student days of the latter in St. Andrews, much ot the entertainment of the Lords of Fife.” - A HISTORY OF SKYE, by Alexander Nicholson.
     It is not known when the Piper Angus MacArthur died, but son Charles succeeded him as hereditary piper to the Macdonalds. Charles was every bit as talented as his father, being described by the 18th century traveller Pennant as A master of his instrument."
    The Piper Charles MacArthur is buried in the Kilmuir Churchyard in Skye, only a few steps away from the tomb of the celebrated Flora Macdonald. His tombstone is unusual, to say the least! Sadly, it is completely open to the elements, and over the years, the writing has all but disappeared on it now. On the stone, is written the Epitaph:

“Here lyes the remains of Charles Mackarter whose fame as an honest man and remarkable piper will survive this generation for his manners were easy and regular as his music and thus the melody of his fingers will...”

And here, for some inexplicable reason, the words inscribed upon the tombstone come to an abrupt end. It is said, that the MacArthurs on Skye became extinct in the year 1800, when the last of them, Angus MacArthur , who was probable son of Charles, departed for London. Did Angus not pay the engraver to finish the stone? Did Angus leave the island, forgetfull of the fact that his father’s tombstone remained unfinished? No one on the island knows the answer to this story of the unfinished epitaph on the tombstone of the piper Charles MacArthur.
As I stood gazing down at the stone, I had an irresistible urge to finish the words. They went like this: “Here lyes the remains of Charles Mackarter whose fame as an honest man and remarkable piper will survive this generation for his manners were easy and regular as his music and thus the melody of his fingers will..."

"end, and his children's children will be robbed of their heritage, language and culture. But far across the seas and down through the years, yet they will still remember , to return one day, to say a prayer, and finish the stone of Piper Charles MacKarter."

Macarthur Emigrants from Skye

1700's MACARTHUR, ALEXANDER, prob from Skye to Ch'town PEI in 1803 on the Polly. Petitioner for Dr. Macaulay in 1811.
Source: Scottish Settlers to Canada before Confederation ref # 4804

1700'S MACARTHUR, CATHERINE, of Skye, to PEI on the Polly in 1803. She married DONALD NICHOLSON of Skye. She is quite possibly a daughter of the Piper Charles Macarthur. With children among others;
1.Catherine Nicholson m. John Gillis of Orwell Cove PEI with children.
2.Flora Nicholson m. Donald Macleod of the Kendrom Macleods of Skye with children.
Source: Macarthur family archives, culandera@hotmail.com

To Family of Donald Nicholson of PEI

Back to Main
Email catalina@intergate.bc.ca