Kincardine in Bruce County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Phantom Piper
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 16, 2026
1. The Phantom Piper Marker
The Legend of Donald Sinclair
Back in 1856, on a cold, October day, a small vessel left the Port of Goderich carrying a family from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It was the final leg of a journey for the immigrant family which intended to farm at Penetangore (now Kincardine).
The weather was cloudy with a light breeze out of the southwest when the vessel left Goderich, goes the story. But as the boat approached Point Clark, the sky turned black and a cold wind started to blow out of the west, making for heavier and heavier seas.
As the vessel slowly beat its way north, late afternoon turned to dusk and the captain feared he would not find Penetangore in the dark.
Donald Sinclair, fearing for his family, went down into the hold and fetched his pipes. He prayed for safe passage and then played a lament. The sound of the pipes carried across the water to Penetangore where another piper heard the rich sound. The settler on shore retrieved his pipes and played another lament in return, just as the sky suddenly cleared in the west and the sun set beneath the cold waters.
The captain, knowing he had to be near Penetangore,
this page online
For many years after the narrow escape, Donald Sinclair often went down to the harbour to play the pipes at dusk. They say it was a way to remember his good fortune and to remind others of the power of the pipes.
And it's in the memory of Donald Sinclair that the Kincardine Scottish have decided to play at dusk at the lighthouse on sunny summer evenings.
Erected 2002.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 44° 10.634′ N, 81° 38.27′ W. Marker is in Kincardine, Ontario, in Bruce County. It is at the intersection of Huron Terrace and Huron Street, on the right when traveling south on Huron Terrace. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 Harbour Street, Kincardine ON N2Z 2Y2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgian Bay Country and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 16, 2026
2. The Phantom Piper Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lighthouses of the Bruce Coast (here, next to this marker); The Kincardine Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Paddys Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); The Salt Block (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sergeant Charles William Mann (about 210 meters away); Point Clark Lighthouse / Phare de la Pointe Clark (approx. 15 kilometers away); Douglas Point Nuclear Power Plant / Centrale Nuclιaire de Douglas Point (approx. 16.8 kilometers away).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
