The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Great-gran May is fancy dress online sensation for a laugh
An Angus great-gran has become an online sensation with her fancy dress lockdown antics which she started in an effort to bring a smile to the faces of her family.
What began with 89-year-old May Smith donning a Shirley Temple wig to brighten a video call to her daughter has now turned into a social media hit.
The Arbroath OAP has been putting together quirky costumes to greet daughter Lorna during her drive-by checks to ensure she is well.
May has already appeared at the door of her “fit ‘o the toon” home dressed as a Teletubby, and her latest get-up as a bearded, tartan-clad Highlander – with an accompanying rendition of famous Scots song Jeannie Mccoll – has been shared online across the world.
A well-known figure locally, May said: “It really all started when I put on the Shirley Temple wig to try to give them a laugh in one of our Facetime calls, but I really can’t believe how it has all taken off.
“We used to do cabaret at the Abbey Bowling Club in Arbroath, so I had a few things I’d kept from then, but it’s more about just trying to come up with ideas that might make something.
“I did one as a warrior where I borrowed a grass skirt and used the silver pole from my mop as a spear.
“I’m really astonished at how this has taken off with the modern technology, but if it is making people laugh during this then I’m daft enough to keep doing it!”
Daughter Lorna, 58, said: “She is alone and when lockdown began we asked if she wanted to move in with us, but she wanted to stay at home.
“She has really wonderful neighbours and they have been absolutely great throughout this.
“One week I went down to visit her and she was wearing a green wig. She then appeared as a Teletubby and I posted the video on Facebook and it got a lot of attention.
“We go down two or three times a week just to check she is OK, but Monday night is when she started to appear at her door in her costumes and people just think it is hilarious.
“When I go to the shops it takes ages to get round because everyone wants to speak about it and is asking what she’ll be dressing up as next.”