Clàirseach Ghàidhealach

The clàirseach Ghàidhealach, or the Gaelic harp, is an ancient instrument of Pictish origin (although it should be noted that the Gaelic kingdom of Dal Riada was established in western Scotland at the time Pictish stone carvings began to depict this instrument, even though the instrument was likely played for hundreds of years before this), and is the most popular instrument in the Lordship of the Isles for both its beautiful sounds and exquisite decoration. The strings may be made of silver or gold, and onto the soundbox are carved the symmetrical circles, fascinating spirals, and intertwined strands of fantastical patterns of Pictish and Gaelic fantasy.

The harper is an individual with many privileges, and accomplished harpers may be asked to play at important ceremonies, such as the inauguration of a Lord of the Isles. Most often used to accompany poetry, they are also used to accompany bagpipes and sometimes drums, and elsewhere in Europe (they are exported across Europe) they are played to the highest ranks of nobility.

Their instrument is played with the fingernails, and the ringing sound produced is unique because of the special design of the instrument, with the neck flanked by brass cheek bands and the massive soundbox more than capable of producing a sound that can play above a drum.