Crann nan Teud - School of Plural Futures Session

Crann nan Teud | Tree of Strings – a School of Plural Futures event in collaboration with ATLAS’ Gaelic arts programme.

The School of Plural Futures programme continues in June with a collaborative event with ATLAS’ Gaelic Officer, Eilidh MacKenzie, who is working on a project centered on Roderick Morison, An Clàrsair Dall (The Blind Harper), who was connected with the MacLeods in Dunvegan Castle in the 1680s.

The day will be an exploration around 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 the music and language 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 a light 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, the role of music and song in the clan society and the wider community, and the day will end with a visit to Dunvegan Castle to experience some of the spaces the harper and his contemporaries would have performed in.

Priority will be given to those joining us who are aged 35 and under.

Light lunch will be provided including vegan and gluten/dairy-free options. Please advise of any other dietary or access requirements at info@atlasarts.org.uk.

Level and ramped access to all spaces in Dunvegan Hall. Wheelchair accessible toilet. A hearing loop will be available for use in the Hall.

Bus timetable.