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A spoonful of this viral video is the medicine to beat the lockdown blues


By David G Scott

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A SPOON-playing Highland councillor has seen his music video go viral with over 10,000 views on Facebook.

Willie Mackay – a councillor for Wick and East Caithness and civic leader for the county – has been out every Thursday evening at 8pm with his wife Glynis and neighbours at Oldhall, Watten, clapping in appreciation of NHS workers and carers.

However, on Saturday Glynis suggested he get out his pair of old soup spoons and play along to some rousing Scottish music.

Willie has been out every Thursday evening to clap for key workers but has created a video with spoon music now.
Willie has been out every Thursday evening to clap for key workers but has created a video with spoon music now.

Willie explained: "I learned to play the spoons way back in 1968 when working at Craibstone agricultural college at Bucksburn in Aberdeen.

"In those days the spoons were very often played at bothy nights around Aberdeenshire. They accompanied an accordion or a tin whistle in keeping the beat and timing to the band's tune – preferably played to a fast, rousing Scottish tune."

Highland councillor Willie Mackay gets in a bit of practice with his spoons at Oldhall near Watten.
Highland councillor Willie Mackay gets in a bit of practice with his spoons at Oldhall near Watten.

Apart from dedicating the video to all NHS staff and key workers, Willie sent out a special debt of gratitude to his own daughters – Samantha Law works in Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin and Kirstin Mackay works at Caithness General in Wick.

The jaunty spoon tune lasts one minute and 40 seconds and within three days of being posted on Facebook had amassed 10,100 views, 1303 likes and climbing over 200 shares.

Willie said that he and his wife were surprised and amazed at the video going so "mega big".

"I've only played the spoons twice in Caithness at a concert or ceilidh," he said.

"The first time was in 1975 at Scotscalder Hall. Normally, I'm compering such events."

Willie said he has had several children wanting to learn the technique of spoon-playing which he hopes to teach them soon.

"It doesn't take much, just a couple of old soup spoons placed correctly in your fingers and away you go."

The video can be seen at www.facebook.com/willie.mackay.1/videos/3198417376848971/


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