On our first day together on the Harp in the Highlands and Islands Tour David collected us all at Edinburgh Waverley train station.  The weather was not looking too promising, but we set off with light hearts and immediate laughter.  Although we did not all know one another, we quickly developed a bond of shared jokes and stories.  We headed to Scone Palace in the rain and got to know each other a bit better.

Our travelers included two harp players, one fledgling (a person who was going to learn the harp as we went along and an audience member (the lucky devil who was going to listen to us play!).  We arrived at Scone and the weather cooperated, letting up a bit so we could get inside to see the incredible displays (as well as doing a little shopping and having some lunch).  We then went to Pitlochry to see the Dam and the Fish Ladder – again the weather held!  We finished the day by heading to our accommodation, getting quickly settled in our rooms and rejoining to play the harp.  We worked through Brig of Perth and got it down, despite a little remaining jet lag! 

We then went on through to a delightful dinner in the Parklands, laughing and chatting throughout and made plans for our meeting and outings the next day!  We were tired from travel, playing and laughing but we had a bang-up first day!

Well, it’s finally here! It’s finally time to leave – to go on the Harp in the Highlands and Islands tour. My excitement has reached that fever pitch which borders on annoying (at least to those around me). I’m winging away to Scotland, looking forward to meeting up with our incredible guide David and the wonderful harpers who are joining us. I can’t decide which day of our trip I am most excited about – they all will be spectacular. And at the end I am certain I won’t have determined the best day still.

I wish, as I have often stated before, that you could all go with us. Some of you have contacted me about going next year – we are planning on it (and more details on next year when I get back!). But for now, just be ever so slightly envious! And start planning for the next trip.

We will be having a grand time and I will post as we get the opportunity. I anticipate that we won’t get all our posts out during the week, so expect them to be strung out over time a bit. We’ll upload photos and let you know what music we’ve been playing. I can’t wait to share with you!

Until then, keep playing – pick up a new tune! We will be.

In less than six weeks we launch Harping in the Highlands and Islands! I was already excited, but now, it’s palpable. I am really looking forward to seeing the beautiful scenery (I’m partial to water, but I also like towns, mountains, fields, valleys (straths and glens!), people…yup, pretty much all of it.

I have been working on the tunes we’ll share – arranging, re-arranging, and re-re-arranging until they are just right for the people that will be with us. We will be a small but merry band. And I am especially proud of the traveler who will be learning not just the music but also the harp! She’s intrepid and I’m so excited to have her along with us. I think she’ll help us focus on the wonder of our gifts. You know how it is when you’re learning tunes – you sometimes forget to revel in the joy of making the music – but I expect we’ll stay grounded.

I am also sorry that so many of you couldn’t join us this year. It has been a challenging time for so many people. I wish I could take you all. But never fear – everything will come around – and soon. So keep watching this space – we’ll go again next year and I hope you’ll join us. If you’d like to go then, please send me a comment letting me know when in the year you’d like to go (we’re still in the planning stages for next year but are considering more summer times – so if that’s a better time for you, just let me know and I’ll see what I can do!) .

We’ll be posting photos and comments as we go, so be sure to check in. And I’ll be back next week with more about playing and the amazing music of Scotland.

So, I’m back from Oberlin, stuffed full of great tunes from the Ohio Scottish Arts School.  Its always a rugged treat to go there in the summer.  Rugged because having that much fun is hard work – but I’m up for the challenge!  In addition, its just worth looking forward to – old friends, new friends, seeing each other develop and grow as musicians.  And the excellent teachers – role models all!  I hope you’ll consider participating next year – the diverse playing levels and styles, the brilliant faculty, the environment – all contribute to an excellent learning experience whether you’ve been playing for a year (like the first time I went) or for 30 years (like some of the participants) you’ll have a wonderful time and learn more than you knew needed learning!

The excitement is growing palpable as we move closer to September and the Harp in the Highlands and Islands Tour.  September is rapidly approaching but not fast enough for me! I was disappointed that the spring tour was incomplete due to technical issues but we leave on the autumn trip on 6th September with a  full complement.  We’ll be spending an entire week – eight days and seven nights –  on a customized tour of the Scottish Highlands and Islands seeing some of the places you’ve played about and learning tunes along the way!

As described in previous posts, this tour will go through some of the most beautiful scenery to be seen anywhere and includes the Isle of Skye, the western Highlands, the Spey valley and Cairngorm Mountains. Each day we will learn a tune or add to our harp lore. Our travelers will be great fun with broad diversity – some brand new to the harp and others further along on their musical journeys.  I’m certain they will all enjoy this trip. And their travel logistics are greatly improved and simplified with a lovely small harp awaiting them in Scotland.  We can all travel with light hearts, without fear of the airlines careless handling of our sweet investments.

This intimate tour will consist of four travelers. This very small group size allows flexibility so each day David can show us the very best Scotland has to offer as well as those special things that can’t be planned. Along the way I’ll share tunes that match our travels, experiences, and mood (to learn more about David and me, see the earlier posts and check out the website).
We leave in just three months.  We will post while we are there – I can’t wait to share our trip with you! 

I’m sorry if you’re not one of the lucky few who are joining us this year.  If you become enchanted (or just plain envious) while you read our posts, never fear.  We are planning on making the trip again next year – so you could join us then and see breathtaking Scotland over the arm of your own small harp! Just let me know – drop me a comment here or send me an email. I am so looking forward to sharing this incredible opportunity with you! For details and more information go to http://www.jeniuscreations.com/Harp_Tours_of_Scotland.php.

Until then, keep practicing, consider which are your favorite tunes and join us next year to learn more!  And I’ll keep posting tidbits here – just to contribute to your harp development.

Scotland is calling! April slots are still available. If you are looking at the approaching spring and knowing that you’d like to have the experience of seeing Scotland “wake up” from the winter, this is a great opportunity!

We’ll see the Highlands and the Isle of Skye, we’ll learn some tunes that’ll help your hibernating fingers want to jam. And a small harp is just waiting for you to pick it up and play a newly learned tune. If you’re interested and ready to go – find all the information on www.jeniuscreations.com/harptour

I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

I’m very excited that the Harp in the Highlands and Islands Tours are rapidly approaching! We leave for the inaugural trip on 15th April, spending an entire week on a customized tour of the Scottish Highlandsand Islands. See some of the places you’ve played about! This is the first of four trips scheduled in 2010.

As described in previous posts, this tour will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery to be seen anywhere and includes the Isle of Skye, the western highlands, the Spey valley and Cairngorm Mountains.  Each day you’ll learn a tune and add to your harp lore. Whether you’re new to the harp or are an advanced player, you are sure to enjoy this trip. To ease your travels, a lovely small harp will be awaiting you, allowing you to travel without fear. Invite another harp player or bring a harp loving companion.

This intimate tour will consist of four travelers on each of four outings planned in 2010. This very small group size allows flexibility so each day David can show you the very best Scotland has to offer as well as those special things that can’t be planned. I’ll teach tunes that match our travels, experiences, and mood (to learn more about David and me, see the earlier posts and check out the website).

Book Now!  Seats are filling up so don’t miss your opportunity! For details and more information go to http://www.jeniuscreations.com/Harp_Tours_of_Scotland.php.

Hiya,

First, I’d like to thank those of you who are following my blog.  I hope you find it useful.  And of course, you can always let me know if there’s a particular topic in which you’re interested. 

If you’re visiting and like what you’ve seen, please join us and become a Follower.  Follower get a heads up when content is updated so you’ll get all the fresh info as it gets posted.

We’ll talk about all the important stuff: travel to Scotland, growing as a harp player, and other peripheral stuff, like playing the harp while we’re in Scotland!

Hope to see you soon!

You might think that now that I’ve done telling you all about my trip to Scotland to plan the Harp in the Highlands and Islands Tours for 2010 that I’d be done and there’s nothing else to see in the blog…

but you’d be wrong

There’s so much more.  I’ll update you with tidbits from my studio – tips to improve your playing, help you learn more, or just play better, updates on Scottish Harp events sponsored by Scottish Harp Society of America, and any harp related stuff that comes my way. 

If you have a question or a topic you’d like me to address, just let me know.  And sign on as a follower, so I don’t get cyber-lonely!  If you find this blog interesting or useful, tell your friends.

And by the way, Caol (kyle) is Scottish Gaelic for narrow (as in the narrows that boats come through)…you’ll see when we get to Skye.

We’ve had a full week, but it’s been wonderful – and wonder filled! I hope you’ll join us in April, May or September of 2010. For more information on the tours, please visit my website on www.jeniuscreations.com/harp_tours.php

And I’ve gone on and on about the beautiful scenery, the interesting history, the colorful culture, but I’ve left out perhaps the most important thing. Throughout this blog you’ve gotten oblique glimpses of our expert tour guide, David. He gave me a great background in places I’d not seen before and taught me a lot about places I’d been many times, but obviously had more to learn about. He brings his delightful sense of humor, abiding love of his country and all it contains, and a sheer joy in sharing that with others who are keen to learn more and see everything! We are really fortunate to have such a great guide to show us the authentic Scotland, without a lot of kitsch, just real people, places and events. He’s planned a most excellent tour for us with just enough flexibility to allow us to make the most of the places we go, the weather we get, and the things we want to do.

I hope you’re now keen to join us – we’re going to have a great time. The tours for 2010 will be:

• 15 -22 April – immediately after the Edinburgh International Folk Harp Festival – a great opportunity to really immerse yourself in Scottish Harp!
• 1 – 8 May
• 6 – 13 September
• 19 – 26 September

Seats are limited, only 4 travelers per adventure. And the inclusive price includes not only high quality B&Bs but also the lend of a harp for the length of the trip as well as the harp events that are designed especially for you.

For more information, please go to our website: www.jeniuscreations.com/Harp_Tours_of_Scotland.php 

Hope to see you there!