Category Archives: Harp in the Highlands and Islands Tour

Summer’s coming

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Summer’s coming July 29 to August 10, 2024

This is the time of year when I start to run down the summer happenings that I’m looking forward to, hopefully in enough time that you can also plan to come along too!  The great thing about summer events is that they offer an opportunity to learn and do in ways that don’t happen as much throughout the rest of the year.  They are built on the break summer seems to bring to our “every day” world.  And better still summer events have great opportunities to learn and grow…and have a little fun!

This summer we will have our first Harp the Highlands and Islands trip that starts in Ireland (don’t worry, we make it to Scotland too)! We’ll travel with the amazing Alexandra who is not only a teacher but also a historian (by dint of education and enthusiasm!). She has planned a compelling itinerary and we’ve layered harp events on an unending array of beautiful and interesting stuff. 

Things we changed – we starting in Ireland and will see parts that aren’t as well traveled (which leaves us open to exploring more than the usual stuff). Things we haven’t changed – we still have a small band of travelers (no more than 8!) that ensures you have an intimate and tailored visit. We’ll meet local people and learn tunes and have an incredible time doing it!  And just when we’re fit to burst from Ireland, we’ll head over to Scotland and do it some more!

You know that having music in each travel day will make it all the more fun – and since we’re not just listening to it, we’ll be even tighter with itinerary informing the tunes we learn.  We’ll start in Shannon and then travel north to enjoy some time on the Wild Atlantic Way, visit castles, holiday towns, and meet some of the locals. We’ll also check out the stunning Kylemore Abbey! Then we’ll continue north towards Belfast and discover what makes the Northern coast so enchanting. We’ll cross over to Scotland in style on the ferry then round out our adventure in Glasgow and Edinburgh.  Here’s what’s coming:

Day 1 – Welcome to the Emerald Isle! We start at Shannon International, shake off that jet lag and head north on the Wild Atlantic Way.  First stop – Galway and then we’ll make our way to Westport. From here we’ll set out to explore this amazing corner of the world.

Day 2 – We’ll launch out today to explore the Connemara National Park. Nestled into the lakeside, Kylemore Abbey waits for us to enjoy. We’ll take a tour of the main house as well as the chapel, and gardens where the famous Kylemore ponies wait to greet us! We’ll head back to Westport for the evening our daily harp workshop.

Day 3 – Deep in County Mayo, we’ll visit the famous Ashford Castle grounds as we participate in a Hawk Walk with the National School of Falconry. Here, you’ll meet the local residents and get to know why this sport became such an important part of Ireland’s history. After, we’ll sit down for a lovely lunch at the Ashford cottage complex before heading back to Westport and our daily harp workshop.

Day 4 – We’ll head north to meet a phenomenal athlete, Moe, the sheepdog! Moe will teach us all about how amazing she is and why the relationship between shepherd and dog is so vital to this industry. After a quick lunch, we’ll saddle up and take in the splendor of the Irish coast on the iconic beaches of Donegal. We’ll arrive back in Westport for our daily harp workshop and an evening in this charming vacation town.

Day 5 – We’ll say so long to Westport and head into Northern Ireland. Along the way we’ll pull over and enjoy some of the hidden secrets in the small towns that dot the area. We’ll head to the northern coast of Ireland where we’ll learn a little about the distilling process at the world famous Bushmills Whiskey Distillery! We’ll enjoy the seaside town of Portrush and check in with our daily harp workshop.

Day 6 – Today, we’ll take in the splendor of the iconic Giant’s Causeway. We’ll learn the scientific reason why the causeway exists and maybe check in on the reason the locals think it sits here on the northern coast. After, we’ll enjoy an evening consisting of our daily harp workshop and dinner along the scenic coast.

Day 7 – We’ll make our way into Belfast where we’ll learn about the Titanic and its connection to Ireland. Our daily harp workshops continue and dinner will be a short distance away in our city center.

Day 8 – We’ll spend the morning learning about the history of Belfast’s most infamous story, “The Troubles”. This part of Belfast history is best told in the murals that dot the neighborhoods in the west of town. After, we’ll say goodbye to Ireland and take the Stenna Line Ferry across the Irish Sea and arrive in Cairnryan Scotland. We’ll head north for Glasgow to start our Scottish adventure!

Day 9 – Our Glasgow adventure continues as we take in some of the local sites and enjoy noting the differences between each side of the Irish Sea. We’ll spend the day enjoying all things Scottish then settle in for our workshop time and dinner just a walk away from our hotel.

Day 10 – We are off to our final destination! Edinburgh awaits us with plenty to see and to do! We’ll arrive in style by train and pull into Waverly Station. from here, we are just a short distance to our hotel. Just off the Royal Mile, we’ll set out to enjoy the local area and enjoy our workshop as well as dinner.

Day 11 – Edinburgh continues to delight and today we will take in one of the marquee events! After enjoying Rosslyn chapel to the south of town, we’ll have an early afternoon workshop before heading to the world famous Military Tattoo at the Castle. This spectacular show never disappoints and promises to entertain and delight.

Day 12 – We’ll round out our time in Edinburgh with a few optional tours and destinations and complete our workshop series today. There will be plenty to choose from depending on your interests. From The Whiskey Experience to Holyrood Palace, we’ll get you started in the right direction to enjoy all Edinburgh has to offer. We’ll end the day with our signature farewell dinner then give everyone a little time to pack up before our airport transfers tomorrow.

Departure Day – We know that this experience will have you falling in love with both sides of the Irish Sea! As we say goodbye to you here, know that both Ireland and Scotland fondly await your return!

As always, we’ll get to know you so that we will be able to find those little corners of Ireland and Scotland that delight and enchant. From magical bookstores, fabled artworks, and secret passageways, we’ll share with you those little things that make this the experience of a lifetime.

Our estimated price for the 2024 season is $4700.00 plus airfare.  What’s Included?

  • Breakfast at our hotels and dinners at unique locations daily.
  • Balance between scheduled experiences and unscheduled time to explore further or relax as you choose.
  • Plenty of downtime to enjoy unscheduled moments any way you please.
  • All attraction tickets and passes for experiences and guided tours (always with local experts).
  • All transportation including airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
  • Daily music workshop time to develop those crucial skills (and a small harp – no traveling with your harp!).
  • A dedicated opportunity to refresh your bags during our travels.

So you’re interested, right? Let us know so we can keep you in the loop! Details and fine print here on the website.  Have questions?  I’m happy to answer any you have. 

Are you coming?  Let me know in the comments!

Travel is Broadening

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You already know that all of us are back from the Harpa Scotland 2019 Retreat. If the photos, videos, comments, and smiles are any indication – it was another brilliant success. Harpa is so much fun because it has a simple formula:

HARPA = 

amazing musicians + fantastic tour guide + incredible roadie = 

sharing music joy + enjoying each other + adventure!

You’ve heard the maxim that travel is broadening – and not just from delicious cakes and scones! As you travel with your harp, you develop or hone many sterling qualities including forbearance, faith and patience! Whether you like it or not, you must let go, trust the Fates, and be patient (outside the “Oversize Luggage” belt mostly!).

Most of us are control freaks (especially about our harps). Many of us do not know this about ourselves (or if we do, we underestimate).  Few things will test your mettle like traveling with your instrument and entrusting it to the TSA. And while American (airline) may hate guitars, I’m pretty sure it’s the TSA that hates harps. Or at least, hates harp cases. I qualify this, though, to say that although I have gotten my harp back partially latched or completely unlatched, it has always weathered the journey (Forbearance?  Faith?  Probably both).

But more than that, traveling with your harp opens doors you might not even know were there otherwise. We have been places we likely would have gone right by – simply because those places opened themselves up to the possibility of us playing there! We have never played anywhere dull. This openness on their parts helps us to be more open on our part – to see new things or to see familiar things differently (including toilets, refrigerators, and door locks!). And once we are opened, adventures appear around every bend.

Our trips are always small – this time we had seven. This allows us to go places often overlooked or bypassed. It also ensures we don’t travel as a band of tourists – simply observing, never venturing outside our comfort. But it also generates a community and engenders sharing with one another – we gel in ways that big groups never get. We become a traveling family, if ever so briefly. We share our experiences – and our cookies! And that sharing is part of the fun. And the more fun we have together, the more fun we find. And so it grows!

But perhaps the best bit is that we meet other people – in restaurants and cafes, at attractions, in our accommodations. We were invited along to a stramash by someone we met at one of our concerts. See how that works?! At the time we weren’t sure we knew what a stramash is, but we kinda thought we did, and we went along to it. It was a blast! We got to play tunes with local musicians, we heard some new ones, played some shared favs and heard some lovely singing. We got to share the joy of making music – in a fun, organic, very Scottish way! (Just to confirm, a stramash is a seisiun).  We met a delightful couple at a fish and chips restaurant…because they photo bombed one of our group selfies! It is these brief interactions punctuating the trip that not only make great memories, but really define good travels. While chatting with an audience member we learned of a museum that none of our research had unearthed. And later, once there, we met and chatted with more lovely locals and learned more than just looking at some displays would ever have wrought.

All that leads to learning more about yourself. You learn where your unknown assumptions and ignorances lie and have the opportunity to examine them. These assumptions and ignorances are not good or bad, but examining them means you can rethink their utility. I’m not talking about bigotry but rather biases like what we select for our concert program, how we introduce ourselves and our music to the audience, and how we meet them where they are when we perform (and appreciating when they’re not where we thought they’d be!). A small group also learns to accept more – the morning person must be patient while the not-morning person strives to not be cranky at the start of the day (and vice versa at the end of the day).  We help one another – with luggage, and art supplies, and fingering, and leftovers, and making tea (and more tea, and yet more tea!).

And best of all – each trip is different. The harp attracts all kinds – players and appreciators and audiences. We make lifelong friends and brief – but enriching acquaintances. Even if we return to a place, it is new, and we grow in it. And being invited back is a pleasure and a privilege.

So Harpa 2019 is in the books – an unqualified success. We’re all home, laundry cycled (mostly), gifts given, postcards received (mostly). And we look forward to the next time!

Once we sleep off our jetlag, we will start planning the next Harpa outing!

But we’re also finalizing plans for the 2020 Harp the Highlands and Islands trip – details coming soon. Would you like to be broadened (by travel and cakes)?  Want to be part of the action and first to know the details? Leave me a comment to that effect below!

PS: Photo credit for this week and last go to the Harpaniks and especially Donna Bennett, Therese Honey, and Robin Pettit.

Harpa 2019 wraps

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Harpa 2019 is drawing to a close and with that comes the big jumble of emotions – so much joy and discovery and laughter…and cookies!  And just a touch of sadness – another lovely vacation trip with new and old friends is in the books.  Memories to share and cherish, plans to mature for the next time and the gap of quiet once we have departed each other.

Harpa may not be what you think it is. It is likely so much more!  Yes, it is a vacation with friends and harps.  Yes, we tour and visit and chill.  We perform to help raise money for local charities, but mostly we perform because we love to!

But Harpa is also a spirit, a way of being, a way of life.  Harpaniks (as we affectionately refer to ourselves) seem to use our harps to frame our view.  We spend time looking at the world from many perspectives.  From behind the harp we see where we can touch the world, to delight an audience, to help a charity, to draw a smile or a tear.  From beside our harps we introduce people to our instruments and our amazing music.  With our harps we meet new people- at concerts but also at the local stromach (session) or in a fish and chips shop.  And from under our harps as we carry them from the airport, to and from venues, and everywhere in between, we see the kindnesses of strangers (sometimes after they gawp at us!) who have helped us get through airports and train stations, into and out of taxis and elevators.  And through all of this, in between times we share with each other – playing tunes, rehearsing, showing off.

All because we aren’t just people who play an instrument.  We love it!

Harpa is more than a vacation – it’s a way of seeing and being.  And we have looked and we have seen!  Of course, there is so much more to look at!

 

We are privileged to have helped others and by extension have made our lives a little better. We are grateful for the opportunity and we just had fun doing it!

 

 

And in our down time, we made art together, ate a lot and laughed a lot, from titters at lame jokes to the guffaws of funny stories and separate yet shared experiences.

Through it all we missed our founder, but she’ll be healed up and ready to go for the next time.  And we’re already thinking about what next time is going to look like.  Watch this space for updates.  And visit our Facebook page for more photos and videos.

Harpa is a concept and a state of mind – travel, friends, new things, old ties, and the music that binds us all… I cannot wait for the next one!  Want to join us? Leave me a message to learn more.

 

 

 

 

Harpa Retreat 2019 has begun!

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Harpa 2019 has started! We have all arrived in Scotland and are already having a blast. We are seven this time – five harpers and two appreciators, as well as David our intrepid guide and Heather, our harp-playing roadie. We are significantly missing our lead Harpanik. Beth Kolle, who founded Harpa, is home recovering from a demonstration of gravity and we are missing her terribly. But we press on, carrying the Harpa flag!

This year we decided that we would benefit from a “vacation from our vacation” type trip and began developing the Harpa Retreat concept. We came to Scotland because – well, Scotland!! We have two concerts for different charities scheduled. And we’re planning on more down time so we can really savor our time here, make art, jam and really enjoy each other musically, and just breathe. Because that can be the problem of a vacation – you go somewhere interesting, that you want to see and soak up, and share with friends, and really experience, and you spend some short but manageable time there. But you’ve spent a lot of money to get there and you want to see it all! And you really do try, but you can’t succeed and you get very tired trying! And worst of all, in all that trying, it’s easy to miss the very thing you went there for. So this year, we are trying to take it a little slower, to chill a little. So far it’s been a great idea!

We have just started yesterday and we have an amazing group. Our performers are Sue Richards, Therese Honey, Martha Hill, Donna Bennett, and me. Sue, Therese and I started a little early in Glasgow so we could meet some of the members of the Glasgow Branch of the Clarsach Society and share a workshop (which was just an incredible day – thanks to Gillian Fleetwood for making that happen!), see some great museums, and ride trains with harps.

We took a Preparatory photo to help explain to taxi people what we were looking to get into the cab . It didn’t help the planning, but was fun to take. Photo by Therese Honey – who is a much better photographer than I!

Why yes, you c-a-n get two harps into a cab, onto a train, still have fun and enjoy the ride! Another Therese photo – she’s good about taking them!

We all met up in Endinburgh and yesterday we set off on another adventure.

And yet another photo from Therese – she finds the best photos – just the way she looks at the world is amazing!  We had the easy job. David and Heather had to figure out how to get the harps into the vehicle – puzzle for the day.

We have been posting photos on Facebook here and on the FB Harpa group. Wish you were here! More later, we’re busy having fun!  Wish you could see Scotland through a harp?  Leave a comment and let me know!

 

PS – just like if you have more than one harp, you have a favorite, I have a favorite computing device…and I chose to travel with the other one, so please forgive any errors.  I’m blaming them on the #%~*^ ipad!

Ten-dresse* yet ten-ty** – On approaching ten- years

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Welcome to 2019! Another year begins. Time to think about and plan for another year at the harp!

Becoming what we will be this year often starts by looking back. And looking back at this blog, we see that we have been here since 2009 – that means we will celebrate ten years of sharing about harp, travel to Scotland, musicianship, and more (hence the ten heavy title for this week).

Wow.

It seems like only yesterday that we began. I started the blog to share my excitement about creating the Harp in the Highlands and Islands trip with my dear friend David. I had dreamed of going to Scotland with my harp and playing so many great tunes right at the places they commemorated, in the air of the history they chronicled, in the peace of the glens, along the gentle sweep of the waters, and in the majesty of the mountains.  But a chance conversation made it become real.

What’s not to be excited about!?!

In that time, the trip has had some amazing guests who really made each outing an adventure. And David and I have had a blast getting to gather new friends each year (“a true pleasure” just doesn’t manage to capture the joy, fun, and interest we’ve been able to enjoy at each trip!). We are so fortunate! We have honed each trip and every year brings something new. We are excited to be trying something new this year with the Harpa Retreat! We’ll let you know more about that as it develops but it will bring together the professionals of the Harpa trips to a slower paced, creativity focused week together – with the customary Harpa performances for charity mixed in – because, after all, we are performers – we l-o-v-e to perform! The perfect vacation!

But early on in writing the blog I realized that as much as I love to share the travel and the music, there was more to share. Although I look forward to going to Scotland, planning to go to Scotland, preparing to go, developing tunes to teach, helping travelers plan (and pack!), there was more to share. And while the trip is a week or so, we’re harp players for the other 50-some-odd weeks of the year – and that stuff needed to be said too!

We’ve talked about technique and ergonomics (based on my career as a Human Factors and Ergonomics professional and experience teaching specialized lessons to prevent or ameliorate problems or injury), elements of musicianship and professionalism – from practicing to performance, from planning to anxiety, from prepping for a thorough and satisfying lesson to assuring you have everything you need in your gig bag, and more.

And still there is even more. You’ve mentioned things you’re interested in (and I’m always glad to hear from you – you have great questions and insights!). Sometimes I have an answer at hand – and sometimes I have to do some homework, but I’m jazzed to learn something new.

And I do view this time with tendresse and look forward quiet tenty! Ten years is certainly something to celebrate. And through the coming year we will do exactly that! One thing we’ll be doing is migrating away from BlogSpot to my website (if you want to do that now, subscribe to receive the blog by email ). You can also follow me on Facebook. There will be “birthday presents” (giveaways) sprinkled lightly throughout the year. And of course, content laden posts!

Thank you for following me this far – let’s see where we get to! Leave me a comment – I l-o-v-e (and hearing from you!) – especially if you have good ideas for the coming year! See you next week!

* defined as fondness (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tendresse )

** defined as attentive (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenty)

Harp the Highlands and Islands Trip 2018 Wrap-up

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Well, we have completed another Harp the Highlands and Islands Trip.  We’re all still basking in the glow of the fun times and new friends we developed while we were in Scotland.  And of course, we’re all weathering the shocked feeling of returning to “real life”.

We did have a great trip – good weather (for the most part), wonderful venues visited, joy and celebration together with new friends and old.  It was a blast!

Here are a few more photos that help capture the fun we had:

This is perhaps my favorite bathroom in all of Scotland – come with us next time to see it for yourself! We enjoyed visiting Glenfiddich Distillery – they give a really good tour.

The sky is always breathtaking and we enjoyed the brief stop at Fort George before heading to Cawdor Castle but Clava Cairns were also a hit!

We were privileged to have our harp event for the day in the magnificent dining room of Ballindalloch Castle. More sky – because, well, just look at it!

On the last day there, even the sky looked sad – and we pass the Edinburgh sign, going the other direction…can’t wait ’til the next time!

Wish you had been able to come with us?  Well, don’t despair – we’re already planning the next trip – watch this space for updates.

Harp in the Highlands and Islands Tour – only 2 seats remain!

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Scotland was recently voted Most Beautiful Country in the World! So jump on the opportunity to see it this year.  When you add in the wonder of having a harp and learning tunes that fit in with the highlights of your visit – you know you have a trip that’s the total package!

Join me and our tour guide David for the 2018 Harp the Highlands and Islands Tour 9 – 16 June. David has crafted a journey that encompasses a magnificent route through to the west coast of Scotland, the source of so many wonderful tunes. We’ll see beautiful scenery and you will experience the majestic beauty of the Isle of Skye, the Western Highlands, the Spey valley and more!This is no huge crowd on a giant tour bus chunterring down highways while you only see concrete and billboards! Our visit is designed for people who want to see the country – and it’s for harp players at all levels.

We’ll collect everyone in Edinburgh and then we’ll be off for a week of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast accommodation. We’ll meander towards the Western Highlands and the west coast. You’ll enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Falls of Dochart and the haunting splendor of Glencoe, the Great Glen and the Caledonian Canal. We’ll cross ‘over the sea to Skye’ for two nights, then spend the rest of our time seeing corners of the Highlands you didn’t even know were there. On our final evening, David and his wife Heather will welcome you to their own home where you will be treated to authentic Scottish cuisine and hospitality. Our last day, we will speed you back to Edinburgh to complete your visit.

Each day you will enjoy a harp event – learn a tune, add to your harp lore, or learning songs – all while experiencing the history of the music. We will play together in the midst of incredible scenery. The tunes taught will be related to our visit – the places, the history, and the incredible Scots people we will meet. To ease your travels, a lovely small harp will be awaiting you, ensuring that everyone can travel with a light heart, while your own harp stays home – not being treated roughly by airline baggage handlers. Invite another harp player or bring a harp loving companion (listeners are welcome too!). Play a different traditional instrument?  We’d be delighted if you’d join us in learning and sharing music!

We have honed our trip to assure that every day is full of amazing! Even the weather, which can be moody, only improves our visit. This intimate tour will consist of only five travelers. This very small group size allows flexibility so that each day David can show you the very best Scotland has to offer while also including those special things that can’t be planned. Jen will flex the tunes to match our travels, experiences, and mood.

There are only two seats remaining. For details, look here. Double or twin en-suite or private bathroom $3499 per person or if you prefer a room to yourself, single supplement is $350 (all prices US dollars (USD)). If you’d like to come along, please complete and return this information form with your $1000 deposit before someone else snaps up those seats. 

Feel free to ask questions – I want to hear from you!

Harp the Highlands and Islands 2018 Dates Announced!

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David and I are very excited to announce the dates for the 2018 Harp the Highlands and Islands Tour.  We will be going 9 – 16 June. As before, we will start by gathering everyone in Edinburgh to head right out to see the sites.

We’ll spend our time exploring, visiting, touring, and getting ourselves immersed in amazing Scotland – which was recently voted Most Beautiful Country in the World!*

Add in learning tunes coupled with our sites and you can’t help but love every minute.

Go here to learn more. We have honed our trip to assure that every day is full of amazing! Even the weather, which can be moody, only improves our visit.

Seats will go quickly so be sure to return your reservation form and deposit to secure yours! There are only five seats available.  A small harp will be awaiting you so you can avoid the stress of flying with a harp.

Got questions? Ask away in the comment form below.

*I can’t make this stuff up!