Harmonium
Tarbat Discovery Centre

A harmonium is a small organ, similar to an upright piano, and is powered by bellows operated by the player’s feet.   

During the sixteenth century, the Reformation saw the spread of Protestantism in place of Catholicism. This had a severe impact on church music. Choirs were disbanded, music books and manuscripts were destroyed, and organs were removed from churches.  

This harmonium was brought into the church at Tarbat Discovery Centre in 1806, when the Church of Scotland once again allowed music to be played in services.