008g.chantertale.html

THE BLACK CHANTER OF CLAN MACPHERSON
      The historic Feadan Dubh (Black Chanter) is one of the prized possessions of the Museum. Its true origins are unknown but one story tells that the it fell from Heaven during the Clan Battle at the North Inch of Perth in 1396. The chanter is said to have been caught by the MacVuirich piper who immediately put it into use. The music that he played was so compelling that it ensured the MacVuirich victory. This story was made even more popular by Sir Walter Scott in his Fair Maid of Perth published five centuries later in 1828.
      Another of the myths around it is that it was consecrated or blessed by either St Columba or St Ciaran. Of course, this story would seem to be inconsistent with the 'fall from Heaven' story, but perhaps not.
      That the Chanter was in the hands of the Clan Macpherson from an early time seems fairly certain in that the Chanter was returned by Grant of Glenmoriston who sent it to Ewen Macpherson, the young chief of Clan Macpherson in 1821. The accompanying letter states that the chanter had belonged to Clan Vuirich and had been loaned to the Grants at an earlier time when things had not been going well for them. This would seem to support the general belief that things would bring good fortune to whoever possessed the Black Chanter.
      Its importance to Ewen and Clan Mhuirich can be seen in the letter written by him to Archibald Fraser who helped arrange the return of the Chanter from the Grants. Clunie addresses Fraser by the title 'Restorer of the Chanter'.

The Chanter may or may not have been played at the North Inch of Perth, 1396 but it was played by Hugh Macpherson at the opening of the Clan House in 1952.