Since you were wondering

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.

Back to Reality

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!

The Royal Deeside

This area is beautiful, partly because we go from the mountains and rivers out to the sea! We start out from Aberlour and head to Tomintoul and Cockbridge along parts of the old military road on our way to Royal Deeside – which, not surprisingly, is along the River Dee.

The River Dee...quite pastoral, here.

The area is called the Royal Deeside, not surprisingly, because since Queen Victoria's time, the Royal Family have spent time here.  We took in the Bell Stane (a cool, half-buried rock with a strange history that you would not look at twice if you were to walk past it - yet it rings like a bell when you strike it with another rock). Later we saw the picturesque Corgarff Castle with its star shaped wall. 

Corgarff Castle with its star shaped wall

We visited the Crathie Kirk (which is the place of worship for the Royal Family when they’re in the neighborhood). From there we headed to the coast, from Portsoy and westward along the Moray Coastal Trail and visited another of Scotland's ancient stately homes.

Sunset and a perfect sky - a very welcome evening on the Moray Coast

Another day so full of wonder that I kept forgetting to take pictures.  I hope you remember better when you get there!

We ended up the day at David's and his lovely wife Heather’s home for a dinner that can only be described as an event! Heather is a fantastic hostess and I am thrilled that she’s invited us to share traditional Scottish hospitality. This will be a meal that you’ll savor for a long time!

Speyside

We saw some incredible things today. We started at Ballindalloch Castle, still lived in and beautiful! Unfortunately for me, I’m here in November and the Castle is closed, but when we come back in April, it will be open! I can’t wait to go! The pictures on the website are marvelous!

A little further on, we came to the River Avon…and no, we weren't lost…there are seven Rivers Avon in the UK alone! We just happened to be at the one in Strathspey…a beautiful little bridge that I guess most people don’t know to see – I tried to surf it up and didn’t see any pictures of it…and now that you’ve seen my picture, let’s keep it our little enchanted secret! And now you get a glimpse of the great tour guide we have!

The enchanting bridge over River Avon

We passed through Cromdale and as we happened on the “Haughs of Cromdale", I felt another tune coming on!  We kept on our way to Carr Bridge, though. And I had to have a photo of the Carr Bridge, not only because I learned the tune very early in my harp life, but also because its not only beautiful, it has a great story that goes with its being built. But you’ll have to come with if you want to hear it!

The Carr Bridge...in the early morning, stunning!

From Carr Bridge we went on to the Cairngorms. The entire range are breathtaking and we actually go to the top! Not only is this the largest (read biggest) collection of high peaks in the UK, but even better – it’s just incredibly beautiful! And do you know why calling the mountain range the Cairngorms is sort of funny? David’ll tell you. And you’ll see the incredible view from the Cairngorm Funicular Railway – another astonishing (but fun) engineering feat!

View from near the top

And of course no visit to the Spey Valley would be complete without a visit to a distillery – to watch the water of life being born! Even if you’re not a big fan of uisge beatha (the water of life!), you’ll enjoy learning about how Scotch whiskeys are made, their history and the path a grain has to go through to become something more celebrated than breakfast cereal!

The Battlefield Coast

This was a great day exploring working forts and walking through history in a really modern way. We start by crossing Dava Moor (which some will tell you is what people who’ve never been to Scotland think all of it looks like – deceptively expansive, wild, beautiful – its a “carpets of heather” place!).

After crossing the Moor we get to Fort George, built in the 1720s it is the most secure fortification in Europe to this day. It is a working Army Barracks, so you might see soldiers while we visit.

A very small slice of Ft George

This fort was originally built to pacify the Scottish Highlands in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745. And yup - that's when they started burning harps to squelch the culture. It is a Star fort so it is interesting (even if you’re not into forts) and contains exhibits about its history and use. It is home to the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland. Anybody know what their regimental marches are? Want to learn one?

From there we moved through Inverness and along Loch Ness which looks just about as deep as it is…Didn’t see Nessie this time, but I’m always looking, just in case. Urquhart Castle sits on Loch Ness and has a very interesting history including visits by such interesting characters as St. Columba!

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

We went on to Culloden Battlefield from there. They have a brand new visitors’ center which is state of the art and has excellent displays and information. You can practically feel the history around you. I think that the site is so captivating and overawing - so much so that I was too stunned to take photos! But it is so impressive that I can't wait to get back there!