Clarsach associated with Mary, Queen of Scots

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This shows the right hand view of a clarsach dating from around 1500, said to have been given by Mary, Queen of Scots to Beatrice Gardyn of Banchory in 1563. It is one of the two oldest surviving clarsachs from Scotland.

The roundels on either side of the forepillar depict mythical beasts. Faint traces of pigment in the decoration suggest that it was picked out in colour. The roundel patterns are probably derived from medieval book illustrations.

The belief is that the clarsach, which was made in the West Highlands, was given by Mary, Queen of Scots, to Beatrice Gardyne of Banchory while on a hunting trip in Atholl. Beatrice later married into the Robertson family of Lude in Perthshire.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-741-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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