I was shy as a youngster, Willie Mackay reveals in oral history recording
Willie Mackay is well known throughout Caithness for his confident and cheerful presenting style at a wide range of community events.
Many who have watched him embrace the role of compere may therefore be surprised to learn that he suffered from shyness as a youngster.
“To tell you the truth, I was a wee bit shy at school,” Willie (73) recalls in a new recording for Wick Voices, the oral history project of the Wick Society.
“I used to sit at the back of the class and if the teacher asked a question I would never put my hand up and answer.”
In the 27-minute interview he also points out that it wasn’t until he was in his early fifties that he took up public speaking.
Originally from Embo in Sutherland, Willie came to Caithness in 1970 to run the AI cattle breeding service – hence his nickname, “AI Willie”.
He was elected to Highland Council in 2007 and has been re-elected at two subsequent elections. Willie, who lives at Oldhall, Watten, served as civic leader of Caithness before taking on the title of Provost of Wick.
He tells how he began public speaking after being persuaded to give an address at the Latheron Show Committee dinner dance at the Portland Arms in Lybster in November 1999. He remembers being “petrified” at the prospect.
He has since acted as compere at countless community events around the county, including concerts, ceilidhs, bothy nights, games, galas and fun days.
“I always think it’s a good hint to practise beforehand,” Willie says in the recording. “The great secret about compering is that if you’ve got the audience in the palm of your hand you can say anything.”
At events such as the Mey Games, he has become accustomed to encounters with royalty. Willie points out: “Prince Charles knew who I was because I was responsible for inseminating the cattle at the Queen Mother’s farm at Longoe. He would come along and chat away.”
Willie also recalls how he managed to learn all 101 lines of Holy Willie’s Prayer so that he can perform it at Burns suppers – locally and as far away as Argentina by video link.
In addition he talks about his voluntary role as chairman of the local branch of Enable, the charity for adults with a learning disability.
The recording is freely available to listen to on the Wick Society’s website, www.wickheritage.org
There are now 322 recordings in the oral history collection.