A famous family of Skye, who were the hereditary pipers to the MacLeods of Dunvegan. They were also noted composers of tunes for the bagpipes. Thought to have come originally from Harris (Western Isles), the MacCrimmons became associated with Boreraig where they held an estate and built a college to teach piping and ensure the music, which was not written down, was passed on.
In the late 16th century, Donald Mor MacCrimmon (1570 - 1640) perfected the purest form of piping known as the Pibroch (Gael: Piobaireachd). The greatest of the family was Patrick Mor MacCrimmon (1595 - 1670). By the late-18th century the tradition had begun to wane, the MacCrimmons had left Boreraig and moved around the world.
