It was a gig like no other they've previously done - or likely to do again. 

The Skids played an intimate, acoustic set in Dunfermline Abbey last night (Friday, June 30) to officially launch their new album Destination Dusseldorf.

A church might not be considered the most appropriate venue for performing the songs of a band originally formed in the punk era, but Richard Jobson, Bruce Watson and Jamie Watson adapted to their surroundings to put on a vastly entertaining, and enlightening, night of music.

The evening started with the music of Deeside fiddler Paul Anderson, who later joined the band to perform on a couple of numbers.

Jobson continued his usual story-telling between songs, but tailored his tales to suit the venue, so no swearing and no stories about the one-time Top of the Pops dance troupe Pan's People who appeared on the hit music TV show when the Skids were also featuring.

Leo Sayer, though, wasn't spared. The Skids' previous album Burning Cities was kept off the No.1 spot in the album chart by the singer-songwriter, and Jobson - perhaps jokingly, it was difficult to be totally sure! - decided to blame Sayer for all kinds of misfortunes.

While the stories raised more than a few laughs, the songs were still the highlight of the show. Destination Dusseldorf, the title track of the new album, was on the play list.

And favourites, albeit with different arrangements to suit the acoustic style, including Working for the Yankee Dollar, The Saints are Coming, Fields, Circus Games, and the night's closing song Into the Valley, were all hugely popular as always.

A Woman in Winter was another to really make an impact, with Jobson encouraging the 'congregation' to sing along, which they did so in great voice.

There was one song, though, that had everyone listening intently. Not one from the Skids back catalogue. This was one Jobson has learned in his youth. The first song he learned.

Performing a cappela, he gave a hugely moving performance of The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Jobson wasn't the only one to have something in his eye at the end of that one.

It was different, it was history-making, it was fun and entertaining, and it was a treat for Skids fans to see a different side to the band.

This was something of a one-off though. Tonight (Saturday, July 1), it's back to a traditional Skids gig as the band play PJ Molloys, with Destination Dusseldorf being played in full for the first time.