the whistlebinkies
the balmoral
Karen performs on pedal harp in the Palm Court of the prestigious Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street, Edinburgh, during afternoon tea, usually on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Karen will be back playing at the hotel in June.
workshops
Dance Tunes for Summer! An online Scottish harp workshop for gut/nylon lever harps. Sunday 19th May 3pm UK time. Info & booking.
Karen will be teaching at Ceolas summer school from 7-12 July on South Uist.
Karen will be teaching alongside Lauren Scott at the Higham Hall Weekend with the Harp course on 8-10 November 2024. Organised in conjunction with Harps North West.
If you are a harp group who are interested in a workshop please get in touch. If you would like to know of any upcoming online workshops please sign up to my newsletter.
Recent performances
19th April 2024 The Whistlebinkies Bute Arts Society, Trinity Church, Rothesay 7.30pm Tickets and info
Friday 19 January McDonald Road Library, Edinburgh 120th anniversary celebration 1-2pm Free entry
2023
Saturday 9 December 3pm Kagyu Samye Dzong Edinburgh, Bernard St., Leith entry by donation to raise funds for the centre upkeep. Info and booking
Sunday 3 December playing for Held in Our Hearts Service at Craiglockhart Church 2.30pm (also live streamed)
Thursday 30 November University of Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s Concert at St Cecilia’s Hall 7.30pm
August 16th The Whistlebinkies, St Marks Artspace, 7 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh 8.30pm (1 hour) tickets
Sunday 6th August 7pm (1 hour 10 minutes) Fringe venue 76 Rose Theatre, Rose Street, part of the Soundhouse series booking
Saturday 22nd July - performance of early Scottish music on harp, by invitation at University of St Andrews Scoticonference 2023 The International Conference on Medieval and Renaissance Scottish Languages, Literature and Culture
Friday 21st April 7.30pm Quarrymen’s Arts Centre, Newton Stewart, DG8 7HG Tickets £12/10 info
The Whistlebinkies Netherlorn and Cowal mini tour info in Oban Times
March 17th Easdale PS workshop then Loch Melfort Hotel 7.30pm 01852 200233 for tickets
March 18th 11am Open Session Isle of Seil Community Hall (Ellenabeich near end of the B844) admission by donation
March 18th Isle of Seil Community Hall 7.30pm tickets £15/10/schoolchildren free tickets at the door or Balvicar Stores on 01852 300373
March 19th Cowal Music Club, Dunoon 2.30pm Info £12
March 29th Tannahill Arts Festival 7.30pm The Bungalow, Shuttle Street, Paisley infoSaturday 18th February 2023, Crail Community Hall 8pm £12 part of Scotland on Tour info
Sunday 18th December 11am-1230 Donations & info Kagyu Samye Dzong Edinburgh (Bernard St, Leith)
All proceeds from this will help fund KSDE’s cupola repairs, enabling us to protect the Shrine Room and continue offering the Buddha Dharma free of charge to benefit beings.
2022
Sunday 11 December 3pm Christmas house concert with The Whistlebinkies in Paisley.
Saturday 29th October, Dores Village Hall 7.30pm £12
Friday 14th October The Farmer’s Arms Lowick Green, nr Ulverston 7.30pm £10
18th September - houseconcert with The Whistlebinkies in Paisle
Saturday 20 August - 11am -1230 The Saltire Festival, Edinburgh. An intimate acoustic gig in Fountain Close off the High Street.
17th July - houseconcert with The Whistlebinkies in Paisley
16th July - houseconcert in Aberfeldy (private)
15th July - onboard Britannia
8th July - onboard Britannia
17th June - Shambellie House, New Abbey, Dumfries
14th May - Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
8th April - Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
Past Workshops
New Tunes for Spring! An online workshop for wire-strung harp on Sunday 14th April *3pm UK time. Info & booking
2023
Sunday 25th June ONLINE optional follow up zoom for Tunes from Edinburgh participants. 7-9pm UK time Info & booking
Saturday 17th June ONLINE Tunes from Edinburgh for elementary/intermediate lever harp players starts 1pm UK time Info & booking
May 14th in person workshop for the Glasgow Branch of the Clarsach Society (also on zoom) Milngavie Fitness & Wellbeing Gym 2-4.30pm
May 13th in person afternoon workshop for the Edinburgh Branch of the Clarsach Society
Online Wire Harp Day Sunday 2nd April starts 1pm UK time Info & booking
Online harp talk/demo for UHI students Fridays 24th February & 3 March 1-3pm
GET READY FOR BURNS Online harp day 7th January 2023 starts 1pm UK time
A live online harp day with Karen, featuring 3 tune workshops, a presentation on Burns and a concert. Info & booking.
Follow-up zoom workshop on 15th January 2023 7-9pm UK time, for those who attended the Get Ready for Burns Day.
2022
Highland Branch of the Clarsach Society workshop, Sunday 30th October 2-4.45pm, Inverness Ice Centre. Info
Harps North West day worskhop Saturday 15th October 10-4 Shap Memorial Hall Info
Dumfries & Galloway Branch of the Clarsach Society day workshop Saturday June 18th 10-4