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The Carles Wi' The Breeks is often played as a Slow Air but can also be considered as a Slow March.

It could be linked to a piobaireachd (pibroch = great music for Highland bagpipe) also known as Women Of The Glen Awake or Lord Breadalbane's March To Battle.

The tune is inspired by a quarrel from the 17th century between the Sinclairs and the MacKays.

The fighters from clan Sinclair who wore trews (breeks) were mounted and could escape from the battlefield unlike the troops on foot who were wearing kilts: The Carles wi' the Breeks were flying from the field…

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THE CARLES
WI' THE BREEKS

SLOW AIR

- score by Eric Maclewis with CelticPipes