"MACAOIDH" wishes to get information regarding the famous pipers--the Mackays of Gairloch--the most celebrated of whom was John, or "_Iain Dall_." John's father--_Ruairidh Dall_--came to Gairloch from Lord Reay's country; and, no doubt, belonged to that sept--the chief branch of the Mackays. I am not aware of the cause which led _Ruairidh Dall_ to leave his own country, but it is well known that his son often visited the country of his ancestors, and that Lord Reay was one of his patrons. On one occasion, when on his way to visit his lordship, the "Blind Piper" was informed at Tongue of the death of his patron, when he at once composed that magnificent poem "_Coire 'n-Easain_," than which there is nothing more truly beautiful in the Gaelic language, and which would, by itself, immortalize the fame of any man. There are some of his descendants, on the female side, still living in Gairloch, but none of them ever gave any signs of possessing in the slightest degree the musical or poetical talents of their progenitors. I am told some of the family are still living in America, who continue to inherit the musical genius of the "Blind Pipers" of Gairloch, and will be glad, in common with "Macaoidh," if some of your North British American readers will supply any information regarding them.--_Cailleach a Mhuillear._ THE REV. MR LACHLAN MACKENZIE OF LOCHCARRON, AND "ALASTAIR BUIDHE," THE GAIRLOCH BARD.--It is well known that these good and distinguished men (each in his own way) were great friends, and both composed poems of considerable merit. I heard it stated that, on one occasion, during one of _Alastair's_ visits to his friend "Mr Lachlan," the famous divine requested the bard to compose a poem on the "Resurrection of Christ." To this he demurred and told Mr Lachlan in Gaelic that "he knew more about such matters himself, and should try his own hand on such an elevated theme." "_Hud a dhuine_," says Mr. Lachlan, "_cha'n fhaod gun tig eadar cairdean mar sin. Ni mise 'n deilbh 's dean thusa 'n fhighidh._ (Hut man, friends must not cast out in that manner, I'll do the warping but you must do the weaving.) The poem--a very fine one I am told--was composed by the bard and approved by the divine; and I would esteem it a great favour if some of your readers would supply a copy of it. It has never been published as far as I know. Indeed, the only pieces of _Alastair Buidhe's_, although he composed many, besides having a hand in several of Wm. Ross', which were ever published, are "_Tigh Dige na Fir Eachannach_" and "_Clann Domhnuill mhor nan Eileanan_" (the latter unacknowledged by the publisher), and his elegy on Bailie Hector of Dingwall, given in a recent number of the _Celtic Magazine_ in the "Highland Ceilidh."--_Lochcarron from Home._ * * * * * TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES The following amendments to the text have been made: p. 133 "of" changed to "off"; "similtude" changed to "similitude";