Taliska - Hector the Hero

Recorded at the Arts Space in Wodonga, Taliska performs the classic lament "Hector the Hero", written by Scottish composer and fiddler James Scott Skinner in 1903.
Skinner wrote the gorgeous tune as a tribute to Major-General Hector MacDonald, a distinguished Scottish general around the turn of the century. MacDonald, a friend of Skinner's, had not long before committed suicide following accusations of homosexuality. (source: WikiPedia)

[@kathymccaughtrie696]

Beautiful. Makes me think of my Dad who was in the Argyle Southern Highlanders 1939 --1955. He played the pipes and violin

[@jacquesbrouyer8687]

I had this tune in my head when paddling in my seakayak under the very high Cliff of Skye island a couple of years ago ...unforgottable .. This is my favorite version. Thé pipes , thé speed , thé key of A and few ornementations but at thé wright place .. And dont worry ... you will have to drink again ( may be soon) to the health of the Irish..😀 Greetings from Normandie and thanks a million for sharing ..

[@GM-jt3sh]

Nice to see young Aussies honouring Hector...Bless him....from another McDonald in Victoria.

[@allanseddon8177]

Bloody lovely

[@mchugh601]

that was friggin awesome..

[@lindsayleslielotter858]

This video has me in tears for a few reasons...Firstly - as a member of the Cape Town Highlanders Regiment (who claim their heritage back to the Gordon Highlanders) to know that such a historic officer and gentleman led to the inception of the regiment I am proud to serve under....Secondly - as a proud and open member of the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa; to know that one of our regiments "Founders" saw no other way out of such a vicious scandal other than to take "The Gentleman's Way Out" on March 25 1903 - could only be seen as a proud piece of our history

[@johnritchie4801]

My Mother Dawn Ritchie ran the Admin section of Cape Town Highlanders for several years during the seventies and Eighties . She then transferred to Cape Field Artillery. I currently live in the USA.

[@highlandspiper8838]

Sorry, Hector MacDonald was NOT gay. It was viscous rumor spread by the Genteel officer class who despised a Scot rising through the ranks to become their equals. Like everything else today people try to put their political and social cause spin on everything.. This officer was a victim of the same petty jealousies and and arrogant elitism many Scots and Irish serving in the UK Military had to live with in those days. Dont take liberty to malign the man's legacy to further your cause.

[@cairncoyote6097]

@@highlandspiper8838 Except it was actually likely both considering that the rumour existed years previously and his behaviour was the subject of discussion among the high command. It's probably also true that he would have been able to dodge the scandal if he was born with a silver spoon.

[@warrenhuff7349]

Beautifully played by all!

[@suzdesert]

God bless General Hector our Hero MacDonald

[@oberdanelias]

Beautiful!!! 👏👏👏

[@patriciaharris9912]

Very nice!

[@Aljoshaaa]

awesome music ...

[@grahamfleming9179]

Each an mor nan cath Uabhasach math!

[@ghostpiper1]

Nicely played but why dedicate it to the Irish?

[@piobaire24]

Ireland had just voted to approve same-sex marriage.

[@ghostpiper1]

But why dedicate Hector the Hero to the Irish ? He was Scottish.

[@greenshp]

Because it was written by Scott Skinner for his friend, Hector MacDonald, a Scottish general, whom after being outed for being gay, committed suicide.

[@ghostpiper1]

Hector MacDonald was not gay. It was a rumor spread bu jealous officers because he had came up through the ranks as a true soldier should. Not born with a silver spoon in his mouth like most of them were at that time.

[@rurikau]

Geoff Jones jjinczxryo