Popular accordionist gets feet tapping at Pine Villa

At Mansfield Care’s Pine Villa care home in Loanhead, residents and staff are enjoying the best of live Scottish music from award-winning Highland accordionist Matthew Maclennan.

A regular on BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’, Matthew plays traditional Scottish folk tunes, including jigs and reels, with favourites such as the Skye Boat Song getting residents tapping their feet and clapping along. Full-time musician Matthew said, “It’s great to be able to entertain the residents. Due to the pandemic, some of them hardly got to see their families so I’m very grateful to be able to bring them that extra bit of joy. I was performing outdoors at Pine Villa towards the end of the summer and the residents seemed to really enjoy it, so it is great that I’ll be there a bit more regularly.”

Pine Villa resident Sandra said, “It brings me and the other residents so much joy to hear great traditional Scottish music being played live in our home.”

Denise Williams, Manager at Pine Villa said, “Our residents really enjoy Matthew’s upbeat accordion tunes. He’s extremely talented and the residents absolutely love him. Everyone’s smiling and happy, moving along to the music, clapping and tapping their feet in time.

Alongside Matthew, we now also have a regular piper who plays every month as well. The residents love when our musical guests visit.”

Many thanks to Holyrood PR and Mansfield Care Homes staff for the lovely photos.