Our last day came and it was time for us to depart.

But no dry hustle back to the airport on a Harp in the Highlands and Islands tour! Along the way we saw even more of Scotland’s back roads. We had a lesson on listening to traditional music along the way as well. It was sad to say goodbye, but we had a wonderful time throughout the week.

I hope you’ll think about joining us for the 2012 Harp in the Highlands and Islands tours!  At nearly every road sign we pass, I’m likely to chime in with, “there’s a tune for that!” – don’t you wish you knew those tunes?!?

On this day we took a laid back Sunday start. After a more leisurely breakfast we headed for Ballindalloch Castle – home to Lady Clair McPherson Grant-Russell. She graciously allowed us to once again have our harp event in her dining room. And, as harpers, we were glad to be granted the honor and privilege of being invited to play in someone’s home. And what a home!

We enjoyed lunch in the tea room and then headed back for individual lessons during which we worked on earlier tunes, new tunes, technique and theory.

But we were not done yet! We all made ready for a lovely, homemade dinner in the style of hospitality for which Scotland is famous. David and Heather invited us into their home for a traditional dinner on our final evening.  Before we arrived for dinner we got to take in some of Morayshire – a lovely coastal area with some quaint villages:

Heather made us a magnificent banquet and we all ate ‘til we were full to burstin’! I only wish any of us had had the presence of mind to take a picture – but again – if you want to see it, you’ll have to come with us next time!

Today was travel in a different direction – geographically, historically, politically – and wend to the Royal Deeside. It is called the Royal Deeside because of the area’s close association with the Royals. It seems trite to say that the scenery is breathtaking, but it is! And we took it all in as much as possible spectacular bridges, enchanting castles, and captivating landscapes! But rather than prattle on about them, let me show you some of the sites of our day:

Corgarff Castle

Crathie Kirk, the beautiful church the Queen attends when in residence at Balmoral



Delgatie Castle

We were permitted to play in the Withdrawing Room at Delgatie Castle – a lovely room with a warm atmosphere.  After we had shared a couple of new tunes, we had some of the award winning scones made by Joan (the lady of the house).  These were a not to be missed treat!
 
After another full day of sites, history, stories, meeting real people where they live, and learning another tune, we headed back to the Dowans for another delicious dinner before repairing to bed to prepare for the next day of possibilities!

Everyone knows about some of the places we went today – they are some of Scotland’s best known, but we also did a little “hidden” Scotland too.  We started our day by visiting Urquhart Castle (and later we learned a tune that related to it). 

After that old history, we went to Colloden for more recent, but often misunderstood history.  Colloden has an incredible visitor center (during which I was too busy learning to remember to take photos to share with you!).

From those two history packed treats, we meandered through quaint and beautiful areas and saw more about local people and the way of life in Scotland today and long ago.  The intrepid David made requested photo stops as the scenery begged for pictures!
 

The days continued clear, warm and bright – and on this day we had a little bit of a lie in and then headed for that most iconic of castles – Eilan Donan. One of the things I like best is that this castle has a place for harpers!

After visiting the castle we did a little musical relationship building with a wonderful local piper who was playing nearby. We wanted to set up a little jam but were a tad concerned about tuning up to meet him without breaking a lot of strings! And we decided that we needed a photo of the harpers:

The piper, Lea, shows the gumption of pipers, willing to be photographed with harpers!

 After leaving Eilan Donan, we traveled an astonishingly beautiful path that lead us through the sites we’ve come to expect, to see a part of Scotland that many visitors don’t even know to look for:

We crossed the Beauly Firth and the Black Isle before heading to our next accommodation in Aberlour.

Along the way we saw new things and “must see” things. Once we arrived, we learned a great tune that was directly related to our visiting. Come with us so you can learn it too.

What incredible good fortune – the sky in Skye was fine and bright! Skye is, as always, breathtakingly beautiful. David arranged for us to take best advantage of the day and the weather. We started the day with music by discovering the Skye Music Shop and it just kept getting better from there. Skye has amazing geography, a lot of history, sites of beauty that nearly make you want to cry.


  

David obliged by stopping on request for photos along the way.  We had a wonderful day on Skye but we still had a special treat arranged – we attended a ceilidh concert and got to hear some of the future of traditional music with incredible local talent – it really capped off an incredible day!

Our second day dawned and we all met for a hearty breakfast before heading out on our adventure.  David prepared us for our journey – it would be a long day, but full of sites, sights and delights!

We traveled diagonally across the width of Scotland on our way to Skye.  We saw rivers and lochs, bridges and waterfalls, man-made and natural splendor.   We saw the geography transform and the weather change.  We learned history and saw how the land and the people shaped one another.

Here are a few of the views I wanted to share with you.  These are only a few of the photos from the day – and I find that most of the time I am so busy looking that I forget to take a photo. 

We arrived at the McKinnon Country House in Skye and after settling in we shared a lovely tune that was tied to our excursion of the day.  After we had played we adjourned to dinner which was fantastic before repairing to bed to be ready for the next day’s outing.

Come with us next time so you can see it yourself!

We have had a fantastic trip – loads of sunshine, some very authentic rain, but mostly bright clear days.  We started our adventure in Perth visiting Scone Palace – the place where kings were crowned at the Stone of Destiny.


 In addition to the rich history learned along the way on touring the palace, we had the occasion to be greeted by that most royal of hosts – the peacocks!

We also had the opportunity to see the garden, the maze, and our first set of Hie’lan’ Coos!

We also visited Ossian’s Cave and the Falls of Brann where we learned more history and were captivated by the incredible falls and the surrounding woodland – it’s amazing what happens when you put engineering and nature together!

After taking in all this beauty, we headed back to Perth to create some beauty of our own.  We learned and played a great tune that we would come back to later in the week.  It was great fun playing together sharing the tune.  We had a wonderful time over dinner getting to know one another better, reviewing the best parts of the day and preparing for our next day, which I’ll tell you about next week!

This post will be short – I’ve packed and gotten ready and made my journey to Scotland for the Harp in the Highland and Islands Tour.  I am so excited – we have met up with our group and are out seeing the beauty that awaits.  Or maybe I’m more excited about sharing the great tunes I have planned!  Or maybe I’m really just excited to be playing in some of the incredible places we’re going – the location, the history, the music all tied up together.

We’re in Skye today – so while this week the post is short, over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing glimpses into our travels.  Each week, I’ll post some of our activities and photos – comments, as always, are welcome!  I hope you’ll be able to join us next year! 

This will be the last call for the 2011 Harp in the Highlands and Islands Tour.  All the information you need can be found on  http://www.jeniuscreations.com/Harp_Tours_of_Scotland.php 

We will be visiting beautiful, amazing, and excellent places, learning and playing tunes and having a great time.  There are only a couple of seats left in 2011.  Tthe dates – 22 – 29 August – give you plenty of time to also go to the Tattoo, the International Festival, the Book Festival, the Art Festival,or  the Fringe, beforehand.  Or elect to linger and participate in the Harp Village at Cromarty Arts Trust.

 I hope you’ll be able to join us visiting incredible venues like this:

and those postcard sites like this:

For more information go to the website and to book, please send an email to jentheharper(at)gmail.com – hope you’ll be coming with us!