Not only did the fairies take an interest in pipers, but they played the pipes themselves. In one case where, after a deal of trouble, a young man, Charlie Mac Lean by name, got nearly to the Fairies’ Palace in search of his beautiful young wife, who had been stolen to nurse the young prince of the fairies, he was met by a withered “atomy” of a man, finely dressed, with a cocked hat on his head and a magnificent set of pipes under his arm.
“A happy May eve to you, Charlie Mac Lean,” said the little man, coming up with a dignified bow.
“The same to you, sir, and many,” Charlie replied. “May I ask where this road leads?”
“Why, you goose, don’t you know? It leads to the Fairies’ Palace. Don’t you be trying your tricks on travellers, my fine fellow. However, come on. I’ll lead the way, no matter who plays the pipes.”
With that he tuned up his pipes and marched along, Charlie following. “What tune do you like?” said he, turning round suddenly.
“Oh! Cailleach Liath Rarsair,” answered Charlie, scarcely knowing what he said.
“It’s a capital tune,” said the “atomy,” and immediately striking it up, he played with such life and spirit that Charlie felt able to fight the whole fairy court for his wife.
“Now,” said the little piper, as he finished the tune, “I haven’t time to play more, else I’d give you the prettiest pibroch ever was battered through a chanter. I must be going. Look up, there is the palace before your eyes. One you know bade me tell you to stand in the porch till the company comes out to the green. Your wife will be among them. A word to a sensible man is enough. You have the purse of dust in your pocket: (Charlie had got this from a ‘wise man’ before setting out on the journey); use it, I say, use it, whenever you see your wife.” With that he struck up “Charlie is my darling,” and marched back the way he had come.
Charlie got his wife all right, by following the advice of the “wise man” and the “atomy,” but that part of the story has nought to do with pipers.
