Willie Mackay marks 5 years of Covid-inspired spoon playing
A spoon-playing Highland councillor has been entertaining online audiences around the world every weekend for five years now.
What started out as a thank-you to the NHS, care and key workers during the Covid pandemic in May 2020, Willie Mackay’s musical antics have continued every Saturday evening since then.
Mr Mackay, who hails from Embo in east Sutherland, provides artificial insemination cattle breeding services across Caithness, north and east Sutherland as well as working as an Independent councillor for Wick and East Caithness and volunteering as the chairman of the Caithness branch of Enable for adults with a learning disability.
However, he still managed to find time, along with his wife Glynis, to record the Saturday night sessions and send them out to countless social media platforms where the “rousing” Scottish tunes were received throughout Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Mackay said: “I am overwhelmed by the Spoons appreciation and the thank-you comments every Saturday evening from supporters worldwide.
“This is two ordinary soup spoons which anyone could pick up for 10p each in any charity shop, yet they are providing entertainment and enjoyment to thousands across the world.
“I couldn’t believe the number of likes one Saturday evening a few years back reaching 610,000 views, quite unbelievable.”
Asked how long he intends to continue spooning, Willie said: “Well, I’d like to keep going and I owe a huge amount to my wife Glynis who does all the filming and recording and, as I say, she is my producer, director, editor, stage lighting, script, camera and wardrobe – she is incredible.”
He has also visited most care homes in Caithness to play the spoons and says that residents love making noise with the improvised instrument.
