Tune of the Day: Eight Men of Muidart
“Eight Men of Muidart” (also spelled “Mudart” or “Mudwart”) is the title of a Scottish reel dance for eight, and the name stems from a legend regarding Bonnie Prince Charlie. Prince Charles Edward Stuart arrived in 1745 in the bay of Loch nan Uagh, along with a handful of followers. At the very moment the famous royal rebel disembarked there happened to be seven fishermen along the shoreline, and upon seeing the prince their joy was overwhelming, causing them to dance on the sands. They performed a dance for eight, but being one diminished they stuck a spade in the sand to represent the missing dancer, and their unknown dance became known as “The Eight Men of Moidart”. The spot is today marked by seven great oak trees, the “Seven Men of Moidart”, to honor the fishermen.