Published: Thursday, 21st May, 2009 11:30am

Orchestra 'overwhelmed' by debut concert in Fife

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THE Scottish Fiddle Orchestra performed a special Homecoming Scotland show in the Alhambra Theatre on Saturday night, and if the reaction of the audience is anything to go by they may well be returning again in the future.

This was the first ever performance by the orchestra in Fife, as until the recent refurbishment of the Alhambra, there has not been a big enough venue for the 100-strong group of fiddlers to perform in.

Depute Provost Councillor Lizz Mogg hosted a reception for the performers in the City Chambers alongside Councillor Joe Rosiejak, chair of Dunfermline area committee, and was delighted with the Homecoming event. She said, 'I spoke to the majority of the fiddlers over the course of the day and they all said they were overwhelmed by the reception they received in Dunfermline. They felt that the audience in the Alhambra gave them one of the best receptions they had received anywhere on their travels nationally and internationally.'

The Earl of Elgin, patron of both the Dunfermline Heritage Trust which staged the concert, and the SFO, took to the stage (pictured) to sing a song that his grandfather, the 9th Earl of Elgin, had composed, entitled, "My Ain Country", in recognition of the Homecoming element of the evening"s proceedings.

A spokesman for Dunfermline Heritage Trust said that it was hoped the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra would agree to come back.

'Given the tremendous success of the sell-out evening, we would certainly like to try and stage this magnificent group of musicians again in the Alhambra,' he said.

'One of the songs they performed during the evening was "Will Ye No" Come Back Again" and that"s certainly a question we will be asking of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra!'