22/05/2026
One of the fascinating stories from Argyll is that of the Kilbrennan Pipers.
In the 1700s, the nearby village of Kilbrennan on Loch Tuath was home to a famous piping school run by the Rankin family, hereditary pipers to Clan Maclean. Students travelled here to learn the art of piping, sometimes spending years mastering the music and traditions of the Highlands.
Following the Jacobite Rising, piping was suppressed as part of efforts to control Highland culture after 1745. Local pipers are said to have continued playing in secret beside Eas Fors waterfall, where the roar of the water helped disguise the sound of the pipes.
Stories like these are woven through the landscapes of the Highlands and Islands, bringing history to life for visitors exploring Scotland today.