Scottish Harp Concert

Karen Marshalsay returns to Hill of Tarvit with her one-woman presentation of Scottish harp music on all three Scottish harps – the warm-sounding modern gut-strung lever harp; the clear-ringing wire-strung clarsach of the Highlands and Gaelic culture; and the baroque bray harp with its buzzing sitar-like effect.

Last year Karen released her critically acclaimed album, The Road to Kennacraig (four stars – The Scotsman) and the concert will feature music from this album and other favourite tunes.

A fine composer within the Scottish tradition, Karen writes tunes for people and places, including ‘Helen’s Farewell’, ‘Isabel Gow’s Welcome to Edinburgh’ and ‘The Road to Kennacraig’ itself, and she has entertaining stories to accompany them.

As well as appearing in solo concerts, Karen is currently a member of Irish folk music legend, flute and whistle master and singer Cathal McConnell’s trio, with whom she appeared at Celtic Connections 2020. She has also produced new works for Celtic Connections’ New Voices series, Hands up for Trad’s Distil showcase concerts, and Drake Music Scotland. She was Composer in Residence with Harps North West in 2016. More recently, she guested with the Russian String Orchestra, playing her own compositions during the Edinburgh Festival in 2018 and 2019.