Newbattle Abbey Harp Weekend
19th-21st June 2026
Join acclaimed tutors Ailie Robertson, Adriano Sangineto and Tamsin Dearnley for a weekend of wonderful music, delicious food and great company!
Our home for the weekend is the stunning Newbattle Abbey, just 30 minutes from Edinburgh city centre. Originally a medieval Cistercian monastery, Newbattle Abbey College has a 900-year old history of welcoming royalty and hosting guests. This ‘A’- listed building is located on the river Esk and is surrounded by 125 acres of beautiful parkland. The beautiful historic rooms make the perfect setting for a weekend of learning and fun.
ABOUT THE WEEKEND
There will be 3 levels: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced, and all groups will get 2 sessions with each tutor, plus the whole group ensemble sessions. The evenings will be filled with concerts, tune sharing and informal sessions.
PLEASE NOTE: THE INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVEL ARE NOW SOLD OUT
Residential and non-residential options are available, and non-playing partners are also welcome to join.
Timetable
FRIDAY 19th
16:30 - Arrival and check-in to accommodation
18:00-19:00 - Dinner
19:15-19:30 - Welcome
19:30-20:45 - Session with tutor 1
20:45-21:30 - Social gathering and tunes
Saturday 20th
8:00 - Breakfast
9:30-10:45 - Session with tutor 2
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15-12:30 - Session with tutor 3
12:30 - 13:30 - LUNCH
13:30 - 15:00 - Free time to explore the grounds
15:00-16:15 - Session with tutor 1
16:30-17:30 - Whole group Ensemble
18:00-19:00 - Dinner
19:30-21:30 - Tutor concert/Open session/Jam Session
Sunday 21st
8:00 - Breakfast
9:30-10:45 - Session with tutor 2
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15-12:30 - Session with tutor 3
12:30 - 13:30 - LUNCH
14:00 - 15:30 - Whole group Ensemble
15:30 - Departure
ALL WEEKEND
Harp exhibition • Music • Accessories • Artists’ CDs
MEET YOUR TUTORS
Ailie Robertson
Ailie Robertson is a musician in the broadest sense: composer, arranger, teacher and performer. Awarded LiveIreland’s ‘Female Musician of the Year’, her synthesis of Scottish, Irish and contemporary harping technique into an individual style represents the realization of “otherwise unimagined possibilities for the Celtic harp” . A multi-award-winner, she has performed all around the globe, and is recognised for her fusion of traditional and contemporary styles.
Adriano Sangineto
Adriano Sangineto’s harp seems an extension of his lively and engaging character! One of the leading musicians of the Italian folk harp scene his strong and clear rhythmical playing is sure to inspire everyone who wants to add an extra element to their harp playing! He draws on his experience of many styles and genres, skilfully blending them with humour into his own inimitable performance.
Tamsin Dearnley
Tamsin Dearnley is a passionate advocate of the versatility of the lever harp. With a masters degree in composition, she is at home in many different sound worlds, and her work ranges from jazz to classical and folk.
"Full of energy on her strings, she is at one with her instrument, which she adapts to her interpretation of all her pieces, including her own contemporary and atonal compositions..."
PRICES AND OPTIONS
Residential - £415
Includes 2 nights accommodation in a single en-suite bedroom, all meals from Dinner on Friday up to and including Lunch on Sunday, Tuition and evening activities
Non-Residential - £265
Includes all meals other than breakfasts from Dinner on Friday up to and including Lunch on Sunday, Tuition and evening activities
Non-playing Partner (Residential) - £285
Includes 2 nights accommodation (can be in a single or double en-suite bedroom), all meals from Dinner on Friday up to and including Lunch on Sunday, evening activities
Non-playing Partner (Non-Residential) - £130
Includes all meals other than breakfasts from Dinner on Friday up to and including Lunch on Sunday, evening activities
Harp Hire
£30
HOW TO BOOK
Spaces are limited and advance booking is essential. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
To book a place please click here to complete booking form
Cancellation policy: All bookings include at £75 non-refundable deposit.
Cancel by April 19th - we will refund your fee minus the deposit
Cancel after April 19th - no refund will be possible after this date.
Once the weekend is fully booked, we will operate a waiting list. We will do our best to offer you a place if one becomes available.
Useful Information
LOCATION: Newbattle Rd, Newbattle, Dalkeith EH22 3LL.
PARKING: There is plenty of free parking on the campus.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The college is a ten-minute walk from the regular bus services to Edinburgh, Midlothian, and East Lothian: Lothian Buses 3,29,49,139 and 140. You can also take the Borders Bus X95 (Edinburgh- Hawick).
ACCOMMODATION: Adjacent to the main college building, the on-site residency is very conveniently located. The rooms are all single occupancy (doubles on request) and have en-suite bathrooms with towels, bed linen, and free Wi-Fi.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: All meals are prepared freshly in the kitchens from locally sourced ingredients so we are able to accommodate allergies and other dietary requirements. Please tell us about any dietary needs on booking.
HARPS: Participants are required to bring their own instruments. If this is not possible, we have a limited supply of instruments available for hire for the weekend - please indicate on your booking form if you require a rental harp (if these are showing as sold out please contact ailie.robertson@gmail.com to discuss options)
ACCESS: There is a lift in the main building for disabled participants, and accessible bedroom options are available.
HARP STORE: Harps can be left in the building overnight, at the owners risk.
CHILDREN: Under18s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the weekend.
MORE INFO: For any other questions, please email ailie.robertson@gmail.com