Fiddler Karen Steven to release CD in memory of great-nephew Iain Mackay (2) who tragically died in crash on A99
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A Caithness toddler who died following a car accident near Lybster last month is being remembered on a CD which is due to be released soon.
Fiddler Karen Steven was devastated when she heard the tragic news about her great-nephew, Iain Mackay, who passed away in a Glasgow hospital three days after the two-car crash on the A99 at Occumster in August.
His mother Ashlyne Mackay – Karen's niece – was one of three women seriously injured in the accident and is still in hospital.
Karen, who is from Caithness and is employed in the oil and gas service industry in Aberdeen, had been working on the recording for a number of weeks before the crash and has now decided to release it in memory of two-year-old Iain.
She also plans to give some of the money raised from the CD to the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
"The hospital staff were a huge comfort to the family and made themselves available to talk to us. It is only fitting that part of the proceeds go to support the amazing work of the charity," she said.
Iain, who stayed in Wick, is remembered on the inlay and a full page about him appears on the accompanying booklet with the CD which is called The Stroma Swelkie.
Karen said: "We have had loads of support from friends and family and people we don't even know. It has been such a comfort.
"What happened has been so shocking and upsetting and we are all devastated but getting by and keeping in touch with Ashlyne and the family. We feel for them."
Ashylne – daughter of Karen's younger sister Maree MacDonald – was a passenger in one of the two cars involved in the accident on August 22. She has another son, Kieran who will be eight on Friday.
The CD, which is due to be released in the middle of October, has 67 tunes on 22 tracks with 15 compositions by Karen – three of which were written in the last year. Accordionist Alasdair MacDonald, who comes from Wick but now lives in Canada, is one of the musicians featured on the recording.
The Stroma Swelkie is a snapshot of Karen's playing over 25 years and has a number of traditional tunes by such notable musicians as Neil Gow, J Scott Skinner, Tom Anderson and Willie Hunter, but also has an influence of Cape Breton music.
The CD will be available at Karen's website, www.karensteven.co.uk
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