The “Queen Mary” Harp

a harp associated with Mary Queen of Scots

Image of the Queen Mary Harp hosted on the National Museum of Scotland webpage. Please visit the NMS site to learn more.

Feature	Detail
Date	Probably late 14^th or early 15^th century. SocAntScot on radiocarbon dating
String Count	Originally 29, later increased to 30
Height	82 cm (32½ inches)
Soundbox	Hollowed out from a single block, maximum width 30 cm (12 inches) willow
Current Location	National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh.

This harp was said to have been presented to Beatrix Gardyne by Mary Queen of Scots, but there is no evidence that Mary ever owned this harp.

For Robert Bruce Armstrong’s account of this harp, see The Irish and Highland Harps pages 168 through 183. These pages contain numerous photographs and drawings, as well as detailed descriptions, measurements and observations on this harp.

For further information relating to this harp please see the articles linked below:

Lude; the Robertson family and their harps— The history of the Robertson family of Lude, with whom this harp has been closely associated
Lude Owners–Family History— A table illustrating the main line of descent as claimed by General William Robertson and his son Colonel James Robertson and how that line compares with the records of the actual owners of Lude
The Highland Society and the Lude Harps— Examining the documentation of the harps while in the Highland Society's possession.
In–depth on the Queen Mary Harp— An examination of the association of this harp with Mary, Queen of Scots
The 1745 Despoliation of The Queen Mary Harp— the robbing of the valuable adornments which were closely associated with the popular name of this harp

Beautiful coloured photographs of this harp can be found by following the links below to the National Museum of Scotland’s website. Simply select the thumb–nail image to be taken to the Museum’s own enlarged photograph.

Detail of string rib

View of the arm (harmonic curve)

Close photograph of the pins

Join of the arm and pillar

Image of the pillar

Side view of the harp