John Mcalaster (bef. 1720 - aft. 1731)

Born before 1720 in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Eric McAllister [send private message]

Biography

SRP(A36) Campbeltown, Argyll From CMA Scottish Research Project John McAlester & Bessie Watson Duncan, ch. 7 Apr 1728 Margaret, ch. 10 Nov 1729 Janet, ch. 13 Nov 1731 [John McAlister was employed to play the bagpipe in the streets of Campbeltown between the hours of 9 and 10 at night before the bell was set up, sometime between 1757 and 1770. John was an excellent piper and competed numerous times in Edinburgh for the title of high-piper of Scotland, but being addicted to strong drink came home unsuccessful because he became intoxicated during the competition. But his wife accompanied him one time and by her great influence, he was kept from strong drink and was successful, gaining a very valuable pair of silver-mounted pipes with the following inscription: “Ioin MacAlastair ard Phiobaire nah-alba,” = John McAlister, high piper of Scotland. Per the History of Kintyre by Peter McIntosh (1857)].

Sources

• "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYCW-F53 : 11 February 2020), John McAlester in entry for Margaret McAlester, 1729.

• Scotland's People OPR.
• Clan MacDonald Association Scottish Research Project: