Manx musicians will be appearing at a major traditional music festival in Scotland over the Easter weekend.

The harp group, Claasagh, which features five young harpists - Arabella Ayen, Ruby Grant, Lucy Gilmore, Mera Royle and Elyse Grant - who, will perform twice at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, and will lead a large group of harpists in a rendition of a set of Manx music.

The Edinburgh festival is the biggest Celtic harp festival in the world and attracts an audience of hundreds from as far afield as Australia, Japan, Russia, America and Canada.

This year will be the first time Manx music has featured at the festival.

Claasagh, which is the Manx Gaelic term for a group of harpists, will be performing their Manx tunes at a children’s concert on tomorrow (Saturday, March 31) and on Wednesday, April 4.

They will lead more than 100 harps in a suite of traditional Manx music entitled ’Mannin Aboo!’, arranged by their harp teacher Rachel Hair.

Rachel said that taking the young harpists to the festival will open their eyes to the many different styles of music, and they will also get the chance to meet other musicians from other countries.

’Their attendance at the festival allows them to meet fellow harp players from around the world, a rare opportunity for them at present,’ said Rachel.

’They’ll also get the chance to attend some fantastic concerts, and learn loads of new skills.

’Going to the festival for the full week has meant that each member will been able to take part in four days of harp courses, with around 40 to choose from.

’This will see them learn a variety of styles from Scottish, Irish and South American music, and even some Jazz improvisation on the harp,’ she said.

’However, Mera will miss the last gig because she has to go to the BBC Radio 2 folk awards, which is as good a reason as any!’

The festival will be an especially busy one for Rachel.

The Scottish harp teacher, who travels to the Isle of Man to teach on a monthly basis, will also be teaching her own four-day course on Manx harp music, and she will be accompanying Manx Gaelic singer Ruth Keggin, who is to perform a concert at the festival.

Ruth will also be leading workshops in Manx Gaelic song and Manx culture and life.

The Manx group’s visit to Edinburgh is being supported by Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Arts Council.