Shetland Clarsach Group
The revitalised Shetland Clarsach (harp) Group was recently awarded three grants and have
purchased 6 harps for hire to students across Shetland.The goals of the Shetland Clarsach
Group are to develop the harp as an integral part of the musical tapestry of Shetland. Plans
have been set in motion to develop a community of harp players in Shetland through the
acquisition of harps, a tutoring program, monthly meetings of the Clarsach group, harp concerts
and events.
The recent purchase of six harps, plus the introductory workshops were made possible through
grants from local funds and trusts. The project was initially supported by a grant from the
Sandison Trust, followed by a grant from the Community Led Local Development (CLLD)
managed by the SIC with funds provided by the Scottish government. In addition, the Viking
Community Fund contributed generously to the project.
The newly elected board of the Shetland Clarsach Group is: Sunita Staneslow (Baltasound)
convenor, Diane Garrick (Cunningsburgh) treasurer, Marlene Williamson (Brae) secretary. The
Shetland Clarsach Group was started by harpist Catriona MacDonald in 1991. Diane Garrick
stepped in to keep the children playing after Catriona returned to live in the Scottish Mainland.
Diane Garrick has been the harp instructor for Shetland for the past twenty years and one of her
students, Sophie Rocks, has become a professional harpist. Diane Garrick is now focussing on
both her piano tuition and her artwork and has passed the instructor’s baton to Sunita
Staneslow, a professional harpist who moved to Unst in 2022.
Currently, ten students, aged eight to eighty-six, are being tutored by Sunita Staneslow and
this number is expected to grow as more harps become available. The clarsach students are
from: Sandwick, Lerwick, Brae, Whiteness, Papa Stour, Baltasound, Westing, MId-Yell and Aith.
Sunita Staneslow has led a Shetland Harp Retreat in February and another is planned for April.
https://hamars.uk/shetland-harp-retreat/
The Shetland Clarsach Group is the Shetland Branch of the Clarsach Society.
https://www.clarsachsociety.co.uk/branches/shetland/
You can contact the Shetland Clarsach Group at shetland.harp@gmail.com
Main image: Malin Tallack
Below: Frances Wilson and Tutor, Sunita Staneslow
