The School of Plural Futures programme continues with this collaborative event with ATLAS’ Gaelic Officer, Eilidh MacKenzie, whose project centres on Roderick Morison, An Clàrsair Dall (The Blind Harper). A historically significant figure as one of the last professional harpers in 17th Century Highland society, he was also a renowned bàrd, connected with Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan Castle.
The day will encompass an exploration of some of the historic and contemporary harps of the Celtic nations, and the music composed for them. It will examine their place in both Gaelic and Welsh folk music traditions, make connections with Gaelic culture and poetry, and look at how music and song are being created in a contemporary context.
Amongst others invited to join the conversation will be Strathpeffer-based harp expert Bill Taylor, Welsh improvisation artist Rhodri Davies, musicians Ciorstaidh and Steaph Chaimbeul, and Gaelic poet Angus Peter Campbell, all of whom will be performing the following evening at a concert in the hall. There will be a variety of different harps to learn more about, and an opportunity to try for any budding harpers.
After lunch in the hall we’ll carry on the conversation about the Blind Harper and his life and work at the time he was resident in Dunvegan. Discussions will broadly centre around the themes of his poetry and that of his contemporaries, the role of music and song within clan society and in the wider community, and the day will end with a visit to Dunvegan Castle to experience some of the spaces the harper would have performed in.
This event is for folk aged 35 and under.