Small Group  Meet Local Harpists* Exquisite Accommodations
Visit Harp Builder   Workshops  Concerts  Culture  Guided Tours Ceilidhs
Traditional Music Events Historical Sites Nature Walks

* This tour is open for harpists and non-harpists. Tell your friends. Please note that
to come on this tour you must be able to walk unaided for at least 30 minutes.

Day 1 - Tuesday - Edinburgh

You'll arrive at Edinburgh airport or Waverly train station and take bus or taxi to the Wilde Hotel near the castle in Central Edinburgh.

There is no organised activities during the day day, but you can use the time to get over jet lag and explore Edinburgh a bit on your own.

Early evening wine & cheese welcome reception to meet other participants, and review the itinerary.
Dinner on your own
Overnight at Wilde Aparthotel, Grassmarket

Day 2 - Wednesday - Edinburgh

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 the historic village of Temple near Edinburgh. 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.

In the evening there will be a welcome festive dinner where you get to meet some of Sunita's husband's Scottish family.
- Dinner at Dine Edinburgh
- Overnight at Wilde Aparthotel, Grassmarket

Day 3 - Thursday - Edinburgh

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.

We will also take time to 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.
- Dinner at Howies restaurant
Overnight at Wilde Aparthotel, Grassmarket

Day 4 - Friday -
The Highlands

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 and work up an appetite for lunch in Novabotanics a cafe that doubles as an art center and florist. In the early afternoon we will tour the Dalwhinnie Distillery, sampling and exploring the mystique of fine spirits.

After arrival in Inverness you'll settle into the hotel then stroll down to the shores of Ness River for dinner. Later in the evening Sunita will take you to visit one of the local pubs with live traditional music.

- Dinner at The Mustard Seed
- Overnight in Premier Hotel, Inverness

Day 5 - Saturday -
Loch Ness Region Caithness

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.

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. Graham's wife, Cheyenne Brown will demonstrate the harps and treat us to a private concert. She is a treasure and inspiration in the Scottish harp scene.

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 stunning views of Dunnet Bay and walking distance from Dunnet Beach, one of Scotland's most stunning beaches. Although you may not want to leave the luxury of the house which has recently and exquisitely restored. Each bedroom is uniquely furnished.

Dinner and overnight House of the Northern Gate

Day 6 & 7 - Sun. & Mon.
Caithness

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. There will be a garden tour by master gardener Graham Winkle and opportunities to hike and explore.

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

All meals and overnight at
House of the Northern Gate

Day 8 - Tuesday
Orkney

After a leisurely breakfast, we'll depart for the ferry to the archipelago of Orkney. After debarking the ferry, there will be a driving tour to visit Skara Brae, a restored Neolithic village, and 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.
Dinner at the Neuk Restaurant at the Albert Hotel
Overnight on the Ferry

Day 9 - Wednesday
Shetland

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 on Commercial Street. 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 for the afternoon, to shop, wander the waterfront or old town, or just relax and take it all in. Mid-afternoon we'll drive north to check in to the 17th century Gifford Mansion known as Busta House. Now a charming owner-managed boutique hotel.

The building is reputedly the oldest continuously inhabited house in Shetland. You'll have the opportunity to walk the grounds of the estate, through a managed woodland to the waterfront and harbor.

- On your own for lunch
- Dinner and overnight at Busta House

Day 10 - Thursday
Southern Mainland
St. Ninian's Isle

We'll drive down through the main island visiting several interesting sites, along with interesting local lore from the guide. You'll visit Scalloway Museum and castle.

Lunch will be at the village of Hoswick, a quaint community on the south side of the main island. The village also is home to several shops featuring Shetland's woolen products - for those of you in need of last minute souvenirs.

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.

Dinner and overnight at Busta House.

Day 11 - Friday
Unst

After breakfast we'll take two ferries to reach the Unst, the most northern island in Scotland. Lunch will be served at Victoria's Vintage Tea Room in the village of Haroldswick, right next to the 300 year-old house being restored by Sunita and her husband.

We'll visit Hermaness National Nature Reserve where there is a good walking path until you reach 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.

Evening concert by Sunita and local musicians. The concert will benefit an island charity.
Overnight at Busta House.

Day 12 - Saturday
Northern Mainland

We'll say goodbye to Busta House after breakfast 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 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.

Dinner and overnight on the ferry to Aberdeen.

Day 13 - Sunday
Aberdeen - Edinburgh

After departing the ferry we will travel down the East Coast to visit two castles. 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 Glamis Castle in Forfar.
Found in the very heart of Angus in Scotland, Glamis Castle has been the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372. Once the inspiration for William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Glamis is renowned for its rich history and famous visitors, from Mary, Queen of Scots to James V.

The drive back to Edinburgh is only about two hours, leaving you time to relax back at the hotel in the Grassmarket and enjoy an evening out on your own in Edinburgh.

On your own for lunch at Glamis Castle.
Closing reception
Potluck dinner with Sunita at the Wilde
Overnight at Wilde Apart-hotel, Grassmarket

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