Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy

Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy bring together Scotland’s oldest and newest traditional instruments – the clarsach (harp) and guitar – in a vibrant partnership forged in Glasgow’s legendary musical scene. Both hailing from villages rich in musical tradition, they honed their craft in Glasgow’s famed night-time sessions, developing a shared passion for traditional tunes performed as if sharing one mind.

While they might lull you for the start of a set into thinking you will hear spa-ready harp music, don’t be fooled! Rachel stands while playing, her hands and body dancing with the harp as she joyfully explores its versatility, from crisp strathspeys and heartfelt airs to virtuosic reels and driving jigs. A specialist in Celtic harp with first-class honours in Applied Music, she has released five CDs and four books of arrangements and original compositions, regularly teaching and performing at harp festivals worldwide.

Ron, originally and still a fiddle player, grew up in Findochty and was a finalist in the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship and Highlands and Islands Fiddle Masters. He started playing guitar while studying music in Glasgow and has toured with Skerryvore, Scott Wood Band and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musicians of the Year winners.