Celtic Harp | Lamont Harp

The Celtic harp is a beautiful instruments that produces a magical sound. The Celtic harp is an instrument that is often used to play Celtic music.

My first encounter with a harp and harpist was in my grandmother’s church. There was a woman who played beautifully. Her daughter, who was my age, grew up to follow in her mother’s footsteps, playing the harp. I do not know what type of harp they played, however.

Today, I often enjoy the music of Loreena McKennitt who plays the Celtic harp. Her music has the most calming and mystical sound. I have had the pleasure of being exposed to some lesser-known harpists as well. As a member of the Celtic Friends Network, I am introduced to a variety of Celtic music and musicians, including those who play the harp.

The Celtic harp that comes to mind, that I have been aware of for some time, is the Lamont harp. Being a member of the Lamont clan, I enjoy researching my clan history. On one occasion, I discovered the existence of the Lamont harp. The Lamont harp, Clàrsach Lumanach in Gaelic, is also known as the Caledonian Harp. The harp is made of English walnut or hornbeam, and is mildly decorated. The Lamont Harp was given to Charles Robertson of Lude as part of a marriage dowry. It is one of the three most well known Celtic harps in existence. It is also the largest of the three, measuring in at 37.4 inches tall and 16.73 inches wide. Additionally, the Lamont harp is credited as being the oldest Celtic harp still in existence today, dating to the 1400s. It is currently in the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

I was very pleased to learn more about the Celtic harp. I am more accustomed to the sounds of the bagpipes and had almost forgotten how wonderful the music of a Celtic harp really is.

Learn more about the Celtic Harp on the Celtic Encyclopedia.

Celtic Music

Celtic Music evokes endless emotion from the soul. I know I am not alone in feeling this way.

Celtic music is highly spirited on its own, but to someone with Celtic ancestry, it hits deep within the heart like a long lost memory. I always feel comfortable and relaxed when I hear the bagpipes. If it is the right tune, I am enticed to start dancing the fling.

You do not have to be Celtic to like Celtic music, nor do you have to like the traditional songs. I myself like all varieties of Celtic music. I adore the classic ballads sung by Charlie Zahm, and the animated style of the Wicked Tinkers and the Tartan Terrors. I even love Metallica’s cover of Whiskey in the Jar. I almost believe that one Celtic soul is connected to all others. How else is it that music alone can provoke such passion for places, people, and traditions one may not have ever personally experienced before?

Celtic music is spiritual in its own way. The soothing sounds of the Celtic harp provoke a feeling of being taken to another land, while the blood pumping resonance of the pipes & drums make you feel alive.

Celtic music adapts with the changing times, just as other parts of the culture does. The Celts continually reinvent themselves, yet remain consistent at the same time. Celtic music is diverse, but easily identifiable as Celtic because of its character. It comes in all genres: rock, jazz, folk, metal, new age, elemental, and the list goes on.

No matter what style of Celtic music you like or what musicians or instruments you favor, there is a type of Celtic music for just about everyone.

Read more about Celtic Music and learn more about the different instruments and styles of the music of the Celts.