Councillor Willie completes a year of spoon-playing sessions – and he has no plans to stop
Spoon-playing councillor Willie Mackay has completed a full year of his cheery musical accompaniments on social media – and he has no intention of stopping just yet.
It began as a two-minute tribute to frontline health workers at the start of the pandemic, but now Willie has racked up 52 Saturday night Tunes on the Spoons sessions on Facebook.
His performances have been a huge hit at home and abroad, attracting nearly one and a half million views, and youngsters have been asking him for spoon-tapping tips.
Willie (72) began posting his spoon tunes in May last year in appreciation of NHS staff and frontline workers, including his two daughters – Samantha Law, working at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, and Kirstin Mackay, at Caithness General Hospital in Wick.
Originally from Embo, Willie is entering his 15th year as a Highland councillor and recently had the title of Provost of Wick bestowed on him by his fellow Caithness councillors.
"I have just completed 52 Saturday nights on the spoons and I intend to keep it going," he said.
"I have been amazed at the response throughout the past year from all over the world. I've had requests for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, and many residents in the UK wanting a shout out from their families in Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
“My wife Glynis does all the recording and I tell everyone she is my producer, director and wardrobe adviser."
From around October to mid-April recording was done in the couple's cottage at Oldhall, Watten, in front of a roaring fire. During the rest of the year the sessions have been filmed outdoors.
"Playing the spoons was very popular in the ceilidh-cum-bothy nights of the 1950s and ’60s," Willie said. "I learnt the skill in 1968 while working at Craibstone college of agriculture in Aberdeen.
"I get lots of requests from youngsters as to how to hold the spoons, which is so important, and I am delighted to give them tips and encouragement. It's great to see them wanting to learn."
Willie added: “This Saturday I will be starting off my second year of Tunes on the Spoons with two of the fastest tunes that I spooned to during the past year, called The Bluebird and The Flying Scotsman. Both are featured on recent CDs by the award-winning Caithness accordion player Brandon McPhee who was delighted that I chose them."