Detail of a clarsach associated with Mary, Queen of Scots

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This is a detail from a clarsach dating from around 1500, said to have been given by Mary, Queen of Scots to Beatrice Gardyn of Banchory in 1563. The detail shows the raised rib that runs down the centre of the soundbox.

The holes for the strings are reinforced with metal fittings to prevent the highly tensioned strings from cutting into the wood.

Beatrice Gardyn's son John had a servant in 1588 called Anthony McEwan VcChlairser - 'son of the harper' - which provides a clue as to who might have played this clarsach.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-737-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.LT 1
• Date: Around 1500
  c. 1500
  
• Material: Clarsach / harp
  
• Dimensions: 812 x 510 mm
  
• What: Clarsach / harp
  
• Subject: Musical instruments (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Beatrix Gardyne of Banchory (Owner)
  Mary, Queen of Scots (Presenter)
  Robertson of Lude
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Perthshire, Atholl
  
• Event:
• Description: Clarsach or Highland harp said to have been given by Mary, Queen of Scots, to Beatrix Gardyne of Banchory while on a hunting trip in Atholl, c. 1563, made in the West Highland region, c. 1500
  
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