The Queen Mary harp

Usually dated to the 15th Century

Also known as Lude harp

On display in the Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

"Small Low Headed" design;
29 strings, longest 61cm, one extra bass string added later.

Click here for a museum photo at nms.ac.uk. There are also photos available from the NMS at the SCRAN website. There is a colour photo of this harp in Early Music, vol.36 no.4, Nov 2008 p.522

According to the National Museum of Scotland, “The Queen Mary clarsach, or West Highland harp, is one of the objects that defines Scotland.”

Simon Chadwick

Student copies of this harp are available for sale from the Historical Harp Society of Ireland. Built by David Kortier, based on his measurements from the original to reproduce its idiosyncratic string spacing, angles and overall ergonomics. Laminated construction and simplified outline keep the price affordable without compromising the historical value of this harp. click here for more info.