Learning to play the clarsach:
If you are interested in learning to play the clarsach, but would like
to 'have a go' before you part with a lot of money, there are at least
two options. The first is to go along to Balnain House in Inverness,
where you can try out traditional instruments. They also have an
exhibition of early musical instruments from the Highlands, and hold
workshops, live music ceilidhs etc. most evenings throughout the
summer, and a couple of evenings a week in winter too. There is a
harp festival held here each year at the end of May.
mailto:music@balnain.dial.netmedia.co.uk
The second option is to hire a harp from Fountain Harps. They also
have learner books and tapes. Based in the Scottish borders, they can
arrange the hire to many places throughout Scotland and also England.
Fountain Harps
Whitchester, Hawick,
Scottish Borders TD9 7LN
Harp enthusiasts may also appreciate the following pages, about the
Irish harper Carolan
http://plainfield.bypass.com/~arte/carolan.html
Comunn na Clarsaich (The Clarsach Society)
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~arco/
Also
Janet Annan of Queensferry
teaches clarsach & Harp
Tel: 0131 319 1925
Janet also does weddings & events
Starfish Designs
Unit 4, Old Ferry Road,
North Ballachulish
by Fort William PH33 6SA
Tel: 01855 821429 (fax: 01855 821577)
mailto:mandersona@cix.compulink.co.uk
Ardival Harps (Bill Taylor)
Orchard House, Castle Leod
Strathpeffer, Ross-shire IV14 9AA
(also offers harp tuition, all levels)
Another resource is "Sounding Strings" magazine published Quarterly by
Alison & Aidan Bell
Burnlea Cottage
Bridgecastle
Bathgate
West Lothian EH48 3DP
tel/fax +44 (0)1501 731809
Subscriptions to the magazine, and other Clarsach related supplies are:
Sounding Strings
PO Box 12508
Bathgate
West Lothian EH48 3YA
I thought they also had an e-mail address, but I can't find it in the
current magazine