Experience the rich heritage of Scottish music and culture right from the comfort of your arm chair with the exclusive Scotland from the Armchair Experience, brought to you by KJ Folk Music. My interactive and engaging experience brings the sounds and traditions of Scotland directly to your residents, providing a unique and memorable entertainment option.

Our Scotland From the Armchair Experience is perfect for care homes looking to offer their residents an enriching and immersive cultural experience. With Kathryn's expertise in folk music and bagpiping, residents will be transported to the heart of Scotland without ever leaving their home.

Interactive Performances

Our Scotland From the Armchair Experience includes live performances by Kathryn Johnstone, also known as The Fenland Piper. Residents will enjoy an immersive mix of specially adapted ceilidh dances, the bagpipes, and some additional Scottish songs to join in with. The interactive nature of these performances allows both residents and carers to engage with the music and learn about the traditions of Scottish folk music. Dance moves are adapted to allow all residents to enjoy the thrill of a ceilidh whilst considering potential mobility issues. Dance moves include clapping, various hand jiving, and some inclusion of stomping and kicks for those that feel able to join in! 

In addition to the Scotland from the Armchair Experience, care homes will often choose to add their own special touches throughout the rest of the day to make the day seem true Scottish holiday. Some ideas I have seen include quizzes, displaying Scottish words and their meanings or images of Scotland's beautiful scenery, colouring in activities, wearing fun hats or items of clothing with tartan (usually the care staff), and sampling the famous Scottish dish, haggis, at meal times.

Customized Events

Whether it's a special occasion like Burns Night or New Year's Eve, or simply a regular day at the care home, Kathryn's Scotland From the Armchair Experience can be tailored to fit various events. With her expertise in bagpiping and solo musical entertainment, residents can enjoy a customized program that suits the tone and atmosphere of the occasion.

For example, some larger care homes prefer more bagpipes in their performances. I can play along the corridors for all residents to listen briefly to the bagpipes, with the quieter melodeon to be played in areas such as palliative care, where a more gentle sound is needed. Then, providing there is time afterwards, I will play the melodeon for some ceilidh dances in areas where you feel the residents would engage and enjoy the performance the most. 

However, in smaller care homes, residents that would like to be involved in the experience will be invited to a single communal area where the whole performance will take place. During these smaller, more intimate performances, more melodeon will often be played as the bagpipes can be a little overwhelming for some residents when played up close, and in a small space. I always check in on the residents and fully engage with them to create an experience they will always remember.

Book Kathryn Johnstone Music for Your Care Home

Bring the magic of Scotland to your care home with our Scotland From the Armchair Experience. Contact me today to schedule your performance for your residents.