Scottish Harp Tours

After breakfast there will be a couple of hours of free time and lunch on your own.

In the afternoon there will be an excursion to Alison Kinnaird's studio in an historic area of Edinburgh, Leith. Alison has been an inspiration to harp players all over the world, and her glass sculpture can be found in the collections of museums and collectors. We are honored that she welcomes our groups into her home and studio. Alison will perform on a number of historic harps with award-winning harper Karen Marshalsay. We will stop by the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh to view the Aeolian Harp Pavillion for a group photo.

In the evening there will be a welcome festive dinner where you'll meet some of Sunita's husband's Scottish family.
- Lunch on your own
- Dinner at Howies, Grassmarket
- Overnight at Wilde Aparthotel, Grassmarket

The day will be divided between taking harp classes with Heather Yule, exploring the Old Town with our local tour guide Helen Ord, and meeting many local harpists.

Heather Yule is a storyteller and harper, and a leading harp instructor in Scotland. Sunita's first clarsach (traditional Scottish harp) was made in 1988 by Heather's father, Jack Yule. Heather's classes will be tailored to the performance levels of the participants in the tour.

While the harpists are in class, their partners and friends will take a walking tour with Sunita's husband Fred who grew up in Edinburgh. He will take you through the Meadows, off the tourist trail to his old neighbourhood, Marchmont.

The entire group will also walk the streets of the Old Town, viewing Edinburgh Castle, the High Street and surrounding areas. You’ll love the narrow winding streets and ancient stone buildings, many dating back to the early Middle Ages and beyond.

After dinner there will be a meeting and session with members of the Edinburgh Clarsach Society, led by Scottish harp legend, Isobel Meiras. You'll meet a wide variety of harp players, students and teachers, who form the core of the harp community in the region.
- Lunch at Let Me Eat Too
- Dinner on your own
Overnight at Wilde Aparthotel, Grassmarket

We'll drive north to the Highlands across the Firth of Forth bridge through beautiful mountains, along lochs, waterfalls and woodland. This is the picturesque Scotland from the movies and our dreams.

We'll visit the historic town of Dunkeld, stroll through its charming streets. Explore the town and areas along the river. Lunch is on your own. You can choose from a variety of cafes and an award-winning bakery. We head straight to Inverness and are treated to a private concert by Cheyenne Brown in an old chapel on the River Ness.

Lunch on your own
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Glen Mhor Inverness

The day will be spent travelling around Loch Ness by coach, and take a 50-minute boat tour on the loch and view Urquhart Castle from the water.

We will visit Culloden Moor. The Battle of Culloden became widely known around the world through the TV series 'Outlander' which highlighted the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745-1746.

Lunch on your own at the Culloden cafeteria.

After lunch you'll visit the workshop of Ardival Harp's master harp-maker Graham Muir. You'll see the process of making medieval harps and modern clarsachs.

Late afternoon there will be a stop for tea in in Helmsdale, an area of the notorious Highland clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries.

We’ll end the day in the far northern county of Caithness where the Nordic influence is felt more than the Celts. Vikings settled this region over a millennium ago.

House of the Northern Gate will be our home in Caithness for a couple of days. It is a grand baronial mansion and we will have exclusive use for our stay. There are Panoramic views of Dunnet Bay and walking distance from the beach, a spectacular 2-mile arc of white sand and rolling dunes. Although you may not want to leave the luxury of the house which has been recently and exquisitely restored. Each bedroom is uniquely furnished.

Lunch on your own
Dinner and overnight House of the Northern Gate

After several busy days you'll now have an opportunity to sleep a little later, relax, walk the estate, and schedule a private lesson with Sunita.

Enjoy the luxury of the exclusive use of this luxury estate and grounds, with opportunities to hike and explore. A sauna with a picture window and a spectacular view is available.

The first evening will be a group session when all group participants will be encourages to share their music. On the second evening local harpists and musicians will be invited to dinner and ceilidh, sharing music, stories, poetry, and communal fun.

All meals
overnight at House of the Northern Gate

After a leisurely breakfast, we'll depart for the ferry to the archipelago of Orkney. After debarking the ferry, we'll take a driving tour to visit Skara Brae, a restored Neolithic village
Lunch on your own at the Skara Brae Café.
Then to the The Ring of Brodgar, a large collection of monolithic standing stones in a perfect circle. There will also be a visit to the Italian chapel, built by WW2 POWs.

Before dinner you'll explore the many delights of Kirkwall, such as St. Magnus Cathedral. After dinner, local musicians will meet us at the Neuk Restaurant for a informal concert.

Late in the evening we'll take the overnight ferry to Lerwick in Shetland. You'll have a cabin and breakfast in the boat.
Lunch on your own
Dinner at the Neuk Restaurant at the Albert Hotel
Overnight on the Ferry

Today is your fun day in Lerwick, capitol of Shetland. After a leisurely breakfast on the ferry, we'll disembark and walk to the center of the old town exploring the waterfront and shops. This is a perfect time to stock up on fine wool and peruse the gift shops displaying local crafts. Sunita will show you some of the landmarks from the TV series Shetland. Visit the music shop and maybe take a walk around the bay (about 2 miles).

You'll be on your own for lunch and afternoon, to shop, wander the waterfront or old town, or just relax and take it all in. After dinner, an evening exploration of Lerwick can also be fun and catch a music session at the Lounge Bar.

- Lunch on your own
- Dinner and overnight at Lerwick Hotel

Our local guide will take us north to view the cliffs of Eshaness. Few places in Shetland can rival Eshaness, either for scenery or historical interest.

The area boasts a wonderful range of wildlife and habitats. seals, otters, porpoises and occasionally Dolphins and whales can be often be seen from the cliff tops. Inland expanses of peat and heather are home to Mountain Hares, Rabbits, Polecats and a multitude of birds.

No trip to Eshaness is complete without a visit to Tangwick Haa Museum. Different aspects of regional life through the years are illustrated by using a mixture of artefacts and photographs. We'll stop for lunch at the Braewick Cafe with a spectacular view of the cliffs we have been visiting.
Lunch at Braewick Café
Dinner on your own in Lerwick.
Overnight at the Lerwick Hotel.

After breakfast we'll take two ferries to reach the Unst, the most northern island in Scotland. Lunch will be served at Sunita's 300 year-old home, the Hamars, in the village of Haroldswick.

We'll visit Hermaness National Nature Reserve where there is a good walking path leading to the spectacular cliffs. This is home to breeding grounds of many of Scotland's iconic seabirds. Puffins and more! The entire walk is about 5 km. round trip (3 miles), and if that's a wee bit too far for you then an alternate activity will be offered.

We'll also visit a restored Viking boat and the Unst Heritage Centre with its fascinating museum and exhibit of local knitting and lace. You'll meet members of the Unst Knitting group.

There will be an evening of Shetland Folk Dancing with the Unst Music and Dance Club. Put on your dancing shoes and join locals for dinner and dancing.
Lunch at the Hamars
Dinner at the dance
Overnight at Lerwick Hotel

The first stop is the southern tip of the main island, Sumburgh where there is an historic lighthouse and lots of puffins. Then off to Scalloway castle and the Shetland Bus monument, which commemorates the bravery of local fisherman who smuggled arms to Norway in support of the WW2 efforts.

A highlight of the day is the village of Bigton with its 'tombola', a unique strip of sand that links to Saint Ninians Isle. If the weather is fine, you'll be able to walk out to the Isle.

Lunch at Stakkadale Café
Dinner and overnight on the ferry to Aberdeen.

After departing the ferry we will travel down the East Coast. Our first stop will be the iconic ruins of Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven. Perched atop a 160 foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, these dramatic and evocative cliff-top ruins were once an impregnable fortress of the Earls Marischal, one of the most powerful families in Scotland at the time.

Our next stop will be a tour of the oldest distillery in Scotland and the adjacent Abbey. Lindores Abbey Distillery traces its roots back to 1494.

On arrival in Edinburgh, you'll be dropped off either at the airport by 4pm or or Waverly station in Central Edinburgh at about 4.30pm. The airport dropoff will be for those who have flights in the late evening or next morning. Otherwise all Edinburgh Hotels are easily accesable from Waverly station.

Lunch at Lindores Abbey

What to pack? Electric questions? Click here for details about how to prepare for the trip.

Scottish Harp Journey
with Sunita
13 days • 12 nights

2027 • 8th -20th June

Scottish Harp Journey with Sunita13 days • 12 nights

2027 • 8th -20th June

Scottish Harp Journey
with Sunita
13 days • 12 nights