Fiddler Robin Barr has been shortlisted for this years Scottish Charity Awards 2019 for his work with the  charity Music in Hospitals & Care (MiHC).

Shortlisted finalists can be found here: Scottish Charity Awards 2019 

MiHC auditions professional musicians to bring the joy of live music to those in healthcare settings reaching over 30,000 beneficiaries in Scotland alone each year. From lullabies for babies in neonatal units to old favourites for those living with dementia, live music brings people together in a shared joyful experience for overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Robin has raised thousands of pounds for the charity over the last 40 years. He has auditioned musicians using his tutor skills from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as a panel member and is a long standing champion in raising awareness of the work of the charity. Robin has done over 100 talks to local community groups and is an energetic fundraiser, raising a near £10,000 for the charity through garden openings.

His Fit as a Fiddle challenge, completed in celebration of the charity’s 70th birthday in 2018,saw Robin at 77 walk :

1. Marwick Head
2. Ring of Brodgar
3. Brinkie’s Brae
4. Cubbie Roo’s Castle
5. Costa Head
6. Keelylang Hill
7. St John’s Head

fiddling along the way and composing seven tunes to match the location.

Watch: Robin Barr fiddling in the Palace Stores Birsay 

Robin with Chair of MiHC Peter Fairlie at Balmaha

A natural storyteller, Robin developed a 50-minute feature on BBC Radio Scotland’s programme Musical Milestones and related the progression of his seven walks with each of the seven fiddle tunes he composed. Robin saw many people join him on his walk including local musicians and supporters. Notable islanders and members of his community were involved, representing aspects of Orkney’s artistic life and taking live music to the farthest reaches, the Fit as a Fiddle challenge raised £5,000.

Robin is a fantastic and captivating spokesperson for MiHC and speaks with such eloquence and passion about the transformational benefits the charity’s work brings to people accessing health care. Robin continues to tour this year to raise awareness of his achievements and to tell more people about MiHC and their work in bringing live music to people in healthcare settings across Scotland.

Alison Frazer, Former Chief Executive Scotland said:

‘In whatever capacity Robin finds himself he never passes up an opportunity to promote MiHC. His deeply held belief in the therapeutic and transformative power of live music makes him a highly persuasive advocate, he shows personal generosity in all sorts of ways on numerous occasions and always takes care to thank all those who support him, supporting MiHC.’

If you would like to vote for Robin Barr you can do so here: Vote for Robin Barr