WATCH: Residents of an Inverness street throw a socially distanced party during Clap for Carers
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An Inverness street has added music to the weekly clap for carers in recognition of frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Creag Dhubh Terrace, in Kinmylies, has a resident piper, a bodhran player and even some Highland dancers who all take part in the event.
One resident, Heather Swinton Raven, said: "Our cul de sac in Creag Dhubh Terrace is such a feel-good place to be on Thursday Clap for Carers night, and this has become the highlight of the week for folk in the street and beyond.
"We have a resident piper, Hamish McMillan, who is a member of the British Legion pipe band. At the beginning of lockdown he played Scotland the Brave on Thursday nights. The neighbours all clapped, and that was it.
"But week-by-week the pipe tunes were added to, and the five minute clap for carers eventually turned into a 30 minute concert, which more and more neighbours came out to support.
"Some musical accompaniment was supplied by a neighbour with a bodhran drum, and we even had one neighbour dance up and down the street in his kilt!
"Many of the neighbours, including ourselves, have Scotland flags flying, and the lockdown has engendered a wonderful community spirit.
"A couple of weeks ago it was the 60th birthday of our neighbour Alec Gilham. After playing Scotland the Brave and a few other Scottish tunes Hamish played Happy Birthday on his pipes.
"From their own gates, neighbours sung Happy Birthday to Alec, and Hamish’s wife Ros appeared from her house with a birthday cake on a tray, which she placed over the gate onto the path of our neighbour.
"Then another neighbour appeared and passed a can of beer over the gate to wash down the birthday cake!"
Mrs Swinton continued: "From a bad situation has come so much good in our street, and I know this is going to continue long after lockdown is lifted.
"Talks are already underway to hold a street party once lockdown is lifted, and everybody is keen to continue with a regular get together, similar to the clap for carers night, indefinitely.
"Neighbours who were so busy with their working lives before have taken the time to go around the doors leaving home baking on doorsteps, and others have offered help in any way that is needed. We are so proud of how our neighbourhood has come together to support each other and turned a bad situation into one which has brought laughter and enjoyment to all in the street."
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