Broadening Horizons

Scots harpist Siannie Moodie is sharing the joy of classical music

- Lisa-Marie Ferla

EVERY summer, an 18th century mansion straddling the Scottish-English border opens its doors to some of the finest contemporary classical musicians from Scotland and beyond, for a packed programme of performances.

In trustee hands for public benefit since 1988 the historic Paxton House, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, is something of a temple of the arts, hosting Scotland's largest private picture gallery as well as visiting and permanent exhibitions, Georgian architecture and original Chippendale furniture. But amongst the grandeur, the annual Music at Paxton festival is committed to expanding access to classical music, incorporating masterclasses, free "taster" concerts, performances aimed at babies and toddlers and free tickets for young people into a packed programme.

It's an egalitarian approach that appeals to performer Siannie Moodie: it was "sheer luck", she says, that got her an introduction to the instrument on which she has since built a career, the clàrsach. Growing up in Ross-shire, in the Highlands, Siannie was given the opportunity to try the versatile Scottish harp as a child through the public arts organisation Fèisean nan Gàidheal - and from that moment she was hooked.