The last of the hereditary pipers to MacLeod of Dunvegan. Born at Glenelg, MacCrimmon was the seventh in a line of pipers to MacLeod of MacLeod and ran the piping college at Boreraig (Skye) to pass on the tradition. However, in 1770, when his salary was cut, MacCrimmon resigned and left Skye in disgust.
His compositions include The Glen is Mine.
In his latter years, MacCrimmon returned to Skye dying at Glendale.