The course, which, this year, has been extended by an (optional) extra day, takes place at Blackhills House near Elgin in Morayshire. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the course so designed that it is enjoyable and fulfilling for beginners and more advanced players alike. Alison's teaching is aurally based so reading skills are not essential, although written music is also provided as an aid to memory. The course is centred around traditional 18^th and 19^th century music from the North East of Scotland, often named after nearby great houses, but there is time to enjoy exploring other areas and techniques as well. Informal ceilidhs in the evenings, after dinner, offer further opportunities to play together or just relax in each other's company. A small number of hire harps will be available at Blackhills, but must be booked in advance.

The setting for the weekend's music making is the beautiful Blackhills House and Estate, the home of John and Stephanie Christie. The woodland garden extends over seventy acres and is famous for its wonderful collection of rhododendrons and other exotic plants - brought back from Ceylon by an ancestor of John's - which have naturalised in the mild microclimate of the glen, and form spectacular displays around the lakes and on the slopes of the valley. The mid afternoon finish for teaching sessions means that there is plenty of time available to relax in the grounds around the house, or enjoy longer walks through the extensive surrounding farmland and moorland.

Alison Kinnaird has been at the forefront of the revival, and continuing success, of the Scottish harp. She plays both gut-strung Scottish harp and wire-strung clarsach, and is recognised as an authority on both the instrument and its history, being the first player to research the repertoire of the harp in Scotland, the first to record an album of Scottish harp music, 'The Harp Key', and co-author (with Keith Sanger) of the first history of the harp in Scotland, 'Tree of Strings'. Her many recordings have received critical acclaim and she has published four books of harp music, one of them a widely used tutor, 'The Small Harp'. As well as being a renowned performer, Alison teaches and lectures on the world stage. In 1995 she was a presenter, along with Evelyn Glennie and Yehudi Menuhin, of the Channel 4 education series, 'The Music Show'. In 1997 she was awarded the MBE for her services to music and art.

Sessions begin at 9.30 each morning and finish at 3.30 in the afternoon, with breaks for coffee and tea - and delectable homemade cakes to go with them - and a relaxing lunch in the middle of the day.

The cost of the three-day course is £125 (£85 for two days, £70/50 for students), which includes all tuition, meals and wine with dinner. Organic, locally produced food is used wherever possible and vegetarians are welcome.

Accommodation is available in one of the Blackhills Estate Cottages (£15 for one night, £25 for two) or local B&Bs (list available).

Booking. If you are interested in taking part on the course, please contact Steph Christie whose contact details are below.

Further activities and places of interest are within easy reach, either on the estate itself or in close proximity.

John Christie specialises in wood fired pottery, made at Blackhills, glazed with simple, but often very beautiful, mixtures of locally dug clay, vegetable ash and feldspar and fired on the premises in a 64 cubic foot wood-fired kiln. There is an all weather tennis court in the grounds.

Further afield, the Moray coast and Speyside offers abundant golf courses, fishing, distilleries, castles and historic houses and spectacular countryside to explore.

Contact:
Contact Steph Christie by e-mail at info@blackhills.org.uk
or by mail at Blackhills House, By Elgin, Moray, Scotland. IV30 8QU
or by telephone on 01343 842223

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