The SFO Archive

Here you will be able to delve into the historical depths of the SFO.

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November 1979  After a 'Fiddlers' Rally' concert at Bearsden the idea of a fixed membership orchestra was suggested and discussed by some of the participants.

October 1979 - February 1980  A series of meetings were held to discuss and establish the format of 'The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra'. Invitations were sent to all persons and groups involved in the performance and furthering of traditional Scottish music. The first Board of Management was composed of Conductor - John Mason MBE;  Deputy Conductor - Alexander Cook;   Secretary - Dr Gerry Crean;  Leader - William S. Dunlop;  Administrators - Leslie Pratt, Bob Willox, David Paton;  Treasurer - Grace Pratt;  General - Andrew Cousar, Robert Clyde.

22 March 1980

13 September 1980   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of The British Digestive Foundation, with 111 players. The artistes were Mary Sandeman (mezzo-soprano) and James Nicol (tenor), who sang at all further concerts except where noted otherwise.

25 October 1980   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign. 124 players took part. The concert was recorded by REL and issued as a double album 'The Scottish Fiddlers Prom'.

31 December 1980  Live performance on the BBC Radio Scotland's Hogmanay Show. Compere - John Carmichael.

4 April 1981  Concert in the City Halls, Perth, in aid of RSSPCC, during 'The Year of the Child'. Compere - Magnus Magnusson, Soprano - Anne Lorne Gillies.

10 May 1981  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

20 June 1981  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of RSSPCC, in the presence of Her Royal Highnes Princess Margaret.

12 September 1981  Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Scottish Epilepsy Association.

31 October 1981   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign. Halloween masks were worn by some of the players

31 December 1981 Live performance on BBC Radio Scotland's Hogmanay Show.

3 April 1982  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the RSSPCC.

10 April 1982  A group from the Orchestra went to Dallas, Texas. Concerts were given in halls and hospitals for charity. The group was sponsored by Braniff Airlines and Caledonian World Travel.

15 May 1982   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

8/9 June 1982  Two one-hour shows recorded for STV. Soloists - Patricia Hay, Helen MacArthur, Jim Nicol, Peter Morrison; Compere - Steve Hamilton.
Transmitted 2 September 1982 and 3 January 1983.

19 June 1982  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Cancer Research Campai gn.

11 September 1982   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

30 October 1982   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

23 November 1982   Concert in Govan Town Hall for BBC. Due to industrial action within the BBC it was not video recorded as arranged, but it was recorded for BBC Radio Scotland.

31 December 1982  Live broadcast for BBC Radio Scotland's Hogmanay Show, followed by high speed dash with Police escort to STV studios to participate in the midnight Hogmanay television show. Joined in this by Peter Morrison, Janice Kelly, Karen Hunter, lain Cuthbertson, Andy Cameron, the Peggy O'Keefe quintet and the Bruce McClure dancers.

March 1983  Two shows recorded for STV. Transmitted 18 May 1983 and 22 August 1983.

2 April 1983  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the Cardio Thoracic Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. From recordings at the Usher Hall (Edinburgh) in October 1982 a double album 'Fiddlers to the Fore' was made and issued in aid of the Cardio Thoracic Unit.

14 May 1983  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

9 July 1983  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

10 September 1983   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of Quarriers Homes. Soloists - Anne Lorne Gillies and James Nicol.

8 October 1983  Gaelic Mod concert in Motherwell, televised by BBC Scotland. Compere - Donny B. McLeod.

29 October 1983   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

November 1983  Two shows recorded for STV. Transmitted 30th November and 2nd January 1984.

31 December 1983 Live Performance on the STV Hogmanay Show.

16 March 1984  Sudden death of the Orchestra's Leader - William S. Dunlop. New Leader - William Cook.

7 April 1984  Concert in the Capitol, Aberdeen, in aid of the Cardio-Thoracic Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

19 May 1984   Concert in the Caird Hall Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

7 July 1984    Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of Cancer Research Campaign.

14 July 1984  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, as part of the entertainment for the World Bowls Championship.

15 September 1984   Concert in the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, in aid of the RSSPCC, in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret.  The Orchestra had the honour of being presented to Her Royal Highness. A single album was issued of this concert - 'Tam O' Shanter and Cutty Sark'.

27 October 1984   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

14 - 18 December 1984   Recording of a series of six half-hour shows by STV for Channel 4 Television. Broadcast on August 31, September 7, 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 1985.

6 April 1985  Concert in the Capitol, Aberdeen, in aid of Aberdeen Cardiac Unit.

18 May 1985  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of the Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

29 June 1985  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

9 August 1985  Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Royal Blind Asylum and School.

14 September 1985   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Epilepsy Association of Scotland, with Percussionist - Evelyn Glennie.

26 October 1985   Concert in the Usher Hall Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

17 November 1985   Classical Aid - a nine-hour series of concerts given in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in aid of the 'Famine In Africa' appeal, in co-operation with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera Orchestra, Scottish Philharmonic Singers et al. Compere - Bill McCue. The entire nine hours were broadcast on BBC. This programme won two major awards at the New York International Festival, the Gold Medal in the Special Event category and the Grand Award the best overall entertainment programme. A twenty-minute excerpt from the concert was transmitted on BBC 2 television later in the evening.

5 April 1986  Concert in the Capitol, Aberdeen, in aid of Aberdeen Cardio Thoracic Unit.

April 1986  An article about the SFO appeared in the "Runway Magazine", published in Yorkshire.

10 May 1986  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

17 May 1986  Gala concert to celebrate the opening of the re-furbished Music Hall Aberdeen. Accompanied by Bill McCue, Andy Stewart and Mary O'Hara (harpist). The Overture 'Prince of the Mists' was commissioned for this event and performed for the first time.

28 June 1986  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of The Royal Scottish Corporation and The Royal Caledonian Schools.

1 August 1986  Concert in association with the Commonwealth Arts Festival in the Usher Hall Edinburgh, in aid of The Royal Blind Asylum and School.

August 1986  Suite 'The Spirit of Strathisla' composed by John Mason commissioned by Strathisla Distillery to commemorate their 200th anniversary. A video was produced by Chivas Bros. as a commemorative item, using the music.

6 September 1986   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

25 October 1986   Concert in the Usher Hall Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campai gn.

1 January 1987    John Mason awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List, for  "services to charity through music". The Honour was presented to John by H.M. The Queen at Buckingham Palace in March 1987.

4 April 1987   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of Aberdeen Cardiac Unit.

18 April 1987   Sudden death of Rev. James Currie - Compere.

April 1987   Article about the SFO printed in "The Scots Magazine".

16 May 1987   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

27 June 1987   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of The Royal Scottish Corporation and The Royal Caledonian Schools.

19 September 1987   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

24 October 1987   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

2 April 1988   Concert in the Music Hall Aberdeen, in aid of the Rev. James Currie Memorial Trust.

28 May 1988   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

18 June 1988   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of The Royal Scottish Corporation and The Royal Caledonian Schools.

25 June 1988   A section of the Orchestra played at Blenheim Palace to entertain guests of ICI.

23 July 1988   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on behalf of the Clan Mackay Society celebration; proceeds donated to St. Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh, and Highland Hospice, Inverness.

August 1988   Partial financial support of the Orchestra's annual Concert Series given by Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

August 1988   A section of the Orchestra played at Wilton Castle, at a Silver Wedding celebration.

10 September 1988   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

22 October 1988   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of Cancer Research.

18 January 1989   A section of the Orchestra played at The Erskine Bridge Hotel at a Burn's Night Supper on behalf of Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

18 February 1989   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of The Children's Hospice Trust. Compact Disc issued - 'The Fiddler's Party'.

1 April 1989   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the British Foundation's Heart Start appeal.  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police.

24 June 1989   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, accompanied by the pipes, drums and dancers of the Royal Caledonian Schools. The 'Fiddlers Express' train journey to London and the Concert were video recorded for transmission on or about St Andrew's Night, 1989.

9 September 1989   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

21 September 1989   Part of the Orchestra played for the European Pancreatic Association meeting in the Bute Hall, University of Glasgow.

28 October 1989   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in aid of Cancer Research.

26 November 1989   STV and Border TV broadcast of 'Fiddlers' Tracks' - a record of the train journey by the "Fiddlers' Express" to the June Concert in the Royal Albert Hall.

30 November 1989   STV, Border and Grampian TV broadcast on St Andrews' Day of the Royal Albert Hall Concert, June 1989.

1 January 1990   STV and Grampian TV re-transmission of London Concert.

17 January 1990   Part of the Orchestra played at the Erskine Bridge Hotel for our sponsor's meeting of Managers.

17 February 1990   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of The Lord Mayor's Charities.

6-8 April 1990   Tenth Anniversary celebration. Banquet in the Elphinstone Hall, The University of Aberdeen, followed on 7th April by the Concert in the Music Hall in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Jack Webster (Glasgow Herald) introduced the item 'Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen' sung by James Nicol and recounted the origins of the song. On Sunday 8th April a Songs of Praise and Re-Dedication of the Orchestra was held in the Music Hall, with the Rev Dr. K. Dupar and Rev. Fr. Eamon Gilmartin conducting the service, attended by the congregation of the Fiddle Kirk and Friends of the Orchestra.

18 April 1990    Part of the Orchestra played in the City Chambers, Glasgow, at the meeting of The British Orthopaedic Society.

19 May 1990  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund, accompanied by the City of Dundee Police Pipe Band.  The Orchestra's first video taken from the Aberdeen Concert  was issued  - 'The Northern Lights'.

23 June 1990  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Royal Scottish Corporation and the Royal Caledonian Schools.  Accompanied as usual by the dancers, pipers and drummers of the Schools.

20 July 1990   Scottish Evening in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, to welcome participants and their assistants to the European Olympics. Accompanied by Bill McCue, Carluke Caledonian Pipe Band and Special primary school Scottish Country Dancers from Aberdeen.

16 September 1990   Concert in week of celebration of Lanark's artistes, with Mary Sandeman, David Baillie and Robbie Shepherd.  At the Memorial Hall, Lanark for the opening of the 850th Anniversary of gaining Royal Burgh status.

27 October 1990   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Royal Blind School and Asylum.

30 November 1990   Concert in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, in Glasgow's Cultural Capital of Europe Year, in aid of The Ileostomy Association. Sheila Carswell soprano. Joined by The Boys of The Lough as a link between Glasgow and Dublin's Cultural Capital Year, 1991, and by the Bagad Kemper Pipe and Drum Band and Dancers from Brittany.

16 February 1991  Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of Charities.

6 April 1991  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of Charities.

18 May 1991  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

22 June 1991  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of and supported by The Royal Caledonian Schools.

30 August 1991  Concert in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, in aid of The Royal National Institute for the Blind (Northern Ireland Branch) and The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children (Northern Ireland Branch). Recorded by Ulster Television for later transmission.

31 August 1991  Concert in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, in aid of Our Lady's Hospice, Dublin. Recorded by Radio Telefis Eirann for later transmission.

1 September 1991   Concert in Courtown, Eire, on the occasion of Town Twinning celebrations between Courtown and Oban.

28 September 1991   Concert in The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

26 October 1991  Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Royal Blind School. The Orchestra released the title 'Over the Water' - a record of its 1991 Irish Tour - available on video, cassette and CD.

22 January - 3 February 1992   A section of the Orchestra played at Burns Suppers in New Delhi and Bombay India.

15 February 1992  Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of charity.

25 April 1992   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen. A cheque was presented to 'The Friends of Gomel', an Aberdeen-based charity which seeks to help children who were affected by the radio-active fall-out from Chernobyl.

16 May 1992   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

20 June 1992   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London in aid of the Royal Scottish Corporation and the Royal Caledonian Schools. This Concert is notable for the fact that it had to be abandoned at the interval due to successive, and apparently reliable telephone warnings of a bomb being on the premises. For the first time in its long history, the Albert Hall had to be evacuated quickly and safely. It would appear, however, that the reports were either false or malicious.

17 July 1992   Concert in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, in aid of The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children (N.I.) and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (N.I.). Compere - Jim McColl.

18 July 1992   Concert in the Rialto Entertainment Centre, Londonderry, in aid of the Foyle Hospice. Compere - Jim McColl.

26 September 1992   Concert in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow - the 'Betty Innes Memorial Concert'. Mrs Innes had organised the Glasgow Concert in aid of the Ileostomy Association for many years.

31 October 1992   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in aid of the Royal Blind School. John Mason having taken ill, the Orchestra was conducted by Andrew McGarva.

20 February 1993   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of charity.

17 April 1993   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

15 May 1993   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of the Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

19 June 1993   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of The Royal Scottish Schools and Save The Children Fund. Accompanied on The Fiddlers' Express by a number of members of the Scottish Rail Preservation Society whose coaches were used.

23 July and 24 July 1993   Concerts in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, in aid of The Royal National Institute for the Blind (NI), The Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children (NI) and Bryson House.

15 September 1993   Concert in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre at the European Conference of Renal Surgeons and Practitioners, at which Princess Anne gave the Opening Address.

30 October 1993   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Royal Blind School. The composition "March of the Clan" dedicated to the Clan Little Society and entitled "Reivers and Meikledale" by them.

30 November 1993   Part of the Orchestra played in the Strathclyde Suite, The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, for Intercity Managers on behalf of ScotRail with Bill McCue also taking part.

Hogmanay 1993   Part of the Orchestra played in the Ross Band Stand, Princes Street, Edinburgh, in the City's Hogmanay Celebration. The cast of "Les Miserables" and Capercaillie also took part in this celebration.

January 1994   A small group of players, with Sheila Carswell and Jim Nicol as artistes, play at a series of Burns' Suppers in India.

18 January 1994   A small group visited the Royal Blind School, Edinburgh, for a Press meeting at which a cheque for £5800 was handed over. A short Concert was given for the children and staff with Mary Sandeman as artiste.

19 February 1994   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of local charities.

16 April 1994   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the Cardio-Thoracic Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Dr Colin O'Riordan conducted on this occasion.

14 May 1994   Inaugural Concert in the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Research. Andrew McGarva conducted the Orchestra, which had Mary Cameron and Dennis Haggerty as its artistes.

18 June 1994   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Save The Children Fund, with Colin O'Riordan as Conductor.

21 August 1994   A large part of the Orchestra played on Stirling Castle Esplanade during a Beating The Retreat Ceremony.

17 September 1994   Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, in aid of the Save The Children Fund in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, the Orchestra's Patron, accompanied by Commander Timothy Laurence R.N. Dr Colin O'Riordan conducted.  Betty Henderson presented HRH with a posy and Reesa McGinn presented a programme. The Board members were presented to HRH at the interval and, at the end of the Concert, she met the artistes, compere, conductor and soloists along with members of the Orchestra and spent some time talking to them all.  Jack Webster thereafter wrote an extended column in "The Herald" of 27 September.

22 September 1994   A group from the Orchestra played at the annual Conference of the British Gastroenterologists Society in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

29 October 1994   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of Cancer Research Fund.

11 December 1994   A large group played in George Square, Glasgow, during the "Month of Sundays" presentations.

1 January 1995   A large group played in the Ross Bandstand, Edinburgh, to bring in the New Year.

January-December 1995   Orchestra supported financially at its Scottish Concerts by the Bank of Scotland during the bank's Tercentenary Year.

18 February 1995   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of local Charities.

15 April 1995   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of Guide Dogs for The Blind, followed by Civic Reception in the Music Hall.  Mr Eddie Macnab, a previous bass player with the Orchestra, appointed as Disabled Persons' Liaison Officer.

28 May 1995   Concert in Perth City Hall, during Perth's Arts Festival.  Proceeds to Orchestra funds.

17 June 1995   Concert in The Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of Save The Children Fund.

July 1995   A large group of the Orchestra played on Stirling Castle Esplanade as part of the Ceremony of Beating The Retreat.

16 September 1995   Concert in The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the new Piping Centre, Glasgow.

24 September 1995   A group of players entertained, at a Civic Reception in Ayr County Buildings, a Governmental Delegation from Slovenia who were visiting Scotland. Soloists were Sheila Carswell and John Goodwin, with Barbara McGaffney as dancer.

28 October 1995   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of The Royal Blind School.

25 November 1995   Concert in the Town Hall, Elgin, in aid of Hospital Radio.

17 February  1996   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of local charities.

20 April 1996   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.  The Burns' Cantata "Till A' The Seas Gang Dry" introduced.

4 May 1996   Concert in the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Research.

9 May 1996   Concert by a small group in the Trades House, Glasgow, at their Old Members' meeting.

14 May 1996   Concert by small Orchestra in the SECC, Glasgow, at the Opening Ceremony of the International Congress of Microbial Chemotherapy.

15 June 1996   Concert in the Barbican Centre, London, in aid of own funds, but no profit made!  Travel by bus instead of train.

5 and 6 July 1996   Concert in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, in aid of the Malcolm Sargent Fund for Children (N.I.).

14 September 1996   Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, in cooperation with The National Trust For Scotland.

26 October 1996   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of Royal Blind School.

8 February 1997   Inaugural Concert in the Barbican, York, in aid of local charities.

19 April, 1997   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of Guide Dogs for The Blind.

14 June, 1997   Concert in The Barbican Centre, London, in aid of charities.

25 June – 13 July, 1997   Concert Tour of Canada

Orchestra members (69) flew from Glasgow and Aberdeen to London, then Vancouver.  Luggage from Glasgow was delayed for 48 hours and the members concerned were provided with black trousers or skirt, white shirt or blouse, shoes, tights, tie etc. by Canadian Airlines, who were not primarily at fault.  All Concerts were in aid of the Canuk Childrens’ Hospice, Vancouver.  Singers were Mary Sandeman and Jim Nicol with Jim McColl, MBE as Compere.  Conducting was shared by John Mason and Andrew McGarva.  All Concerts were sell-outs and the Orchestra received a standing ovation after each.

27 June 1997   Concert in the Farquar Auditorium, University of Victoria.

28 June 1997   Concert in Courtney, Vancouver Island, preceded by reception by the local Indian population.  Concert hall was an ice rink.

29 June 1997   Second Concert in Farquar Auditorium.

30 June 1997   Concert in the Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver.  The touts were out selling tickets at vastly increased prices!

1 July 1997   Second Concert in the Orpheum Theatre on Canada Day. John Mason started the Concert with the immortal words “Happy Birthday, Canada!” followed by the Orchestra playing the Canadian National Anthem.  Our associate Conductor wore a Maple Leaf flag below his kilt to the delight of the audience, many of whom had always wondered what was worn below our kilts.

3 July 1997   Concert in Terrace, north B.C., the home of the organiser of our tour, Charlie Meek who hails from Clackmannan.  An audience of 750 in the small local REM LEE Theatre and a waiting list of 300!

5 July 1997   Concert in the ice rink, Prince George, B.C.

7 July 1997   Concert in the Multiplex Ice Rink, Prince George.

8-11 July 1997   Free days in Toronto with visit to Niagara Falls.

12 July 1997   Concert in the Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto.  Audience of some 6500.

6 September 1997   Proposed Concert in Usher Hall, Edinburgh, postponed until 4 October due to funeral of Princess Diana.

20 September 1997   Concert in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, in aid of Save The Children Fund.

4 October 1997   Concert in Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of Binnie House, a Sue Ryder Home in Ecclesmachan.

14 March, 1998   Concert in the Barbican, York, in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association. Orchestra travel fully supported by GNER.

9 May, 1998    Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of local charities.

23 May 1998    Concert in the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, compered by Robbie Shepherd.  Charlie Meek, who organised our 1997 Canadian Tour, was in the audience and he and Eleanor were regaled with “The SFO’s Compliments to Charlie and Eleanor Meek”.

31 May, 1998  The Orchestra played at Murrayfield to entertain the participants in the Great Scottish Walkathon.  Unfortunately, it rained from start to finish although we were fully protected but players were wearing anaraks, coats and scarves to keep warm.   Suggestion for a video – “The SFO Plays Wet, Wet, Wet!”

17 June 1998  Concert in the Barbican Centre, London to a well-filled hall.   In aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association, which collected over £1200 from bucket collections at York and London.   Train journeys fully supported financially by GNER.   Nine bottles of Bowmore whisky supplied and raffled, which paid for our buses in London.

11 July 1998    Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, at the request of Dr Sam Galbraith, Scottish Minister for Health, at the 50 Anniversary of the NHS.

14 July 1998    Concert in the Barony Hall, Glasgow, at the 21 Congress of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum.

26 September 1998    Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in aid of the Glasgow Trades House.

15 May 1999    Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the Dogs for the Blind..

29 June – 16 July 1999   Concert Tour of Canada and the USA

The Orchestra played in: Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Kamloops, Kelowna, Vancouver and Seattle.  It was delightful to meet old friends again in many of these places and to make many new ones.  The Childrens’ Hospice in Vancouver again benefited from our concert takings and we received the usual standing ovation at the beginning and the end of each Concert.  Weather ranged from heavy rain to snowstorms in Calgary to brilliant sunshine as we travelled west.8 August 1999 Concert in the City Halls, Perth, in aid of our own funds!

4 September 1999 Concert in the Barbican Centre, London, in aid of the Motor Neurone Association.

30 October 1999 Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in aid of Tenovus, Scotland.

30 December 1999 Concert in Holyrood Park during the Edinburgh Millennium Celebrations, acoompanied by some 1200 pipers and an audience estimated by the police at 100,000!  John Mason arranged the Millennium Hymn for the a solo piper, then the Orchestra then the rest of the pipers.

31 December 1999   The SFO Credit Card from MBNA was initiated.

Millennium Series of Concerts in 2000

During this year a number of new piece of music were produced by John Mason and Bill Cook, our Leader.  We also introduced a new system of supporting Charities.  During the year, each Concert was in aid of three Charities with the proceeds being split equally among them at the end of the year.  This obviated the occasions when one or other charity received grossly differing amounts where a Concert had heavy overheads, e.g. travel and /or accommodation.  In many cases the train travel costs were greatly offset by GNER who gave us free first class seats on their routes to e.g. Aberdeen, York and London.

The charities supported in 2000 were Save the Children, the Scottish Society for Autistic Children and the Princess Royal’s Trust for Carers.

25 March 2000  Concert in the Barbican Centre, York in aid of above charities.

15 May 2000  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen.  On this occasion we were joined by some 60 young violin players from local schools who played two pieces with us, having had the music in advance.  Their ages ranged from 6 to 18, and the SFO was led by one of them during their participation.  The occasion was much enjoyed by them, their parents and the Orchestra members.  Having tasted the joy of playing in a large Orchestra, many are now intent on joining the SFO in due course.

17 June 2000  Concert in the City Halls, Perth, again with some 50 young players and again much appreciated by them.

16 September 2000  Concert in The Royal Albert Hall, London, newly refurbished.  The attendance was marred by the petrol crisis before and during that weekend.  Nonetheless, the SFO had the largest attendance at any performance in London on that night.

28 November 2000   The SFO was invited to send two representatives to the 50 Birthday Reception at Windsor Castle organised by HM The Queen, to honour Princess Anne, our Patron.  The President and Director of Music attended, while a group of our players were also invited to play as the guests arrived for the function.  The Queen and Princess Anne expressed dismay that they could not offer the players a facility for the guests to dance to the music, on this occasion!

2 December 2000    Concert in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, when the hall was totally sold out.

30 December, 2000   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in aid of Action research.  Again a full house, after an absence of three years due to the hall being refurbished.

January 2001  Small groups of the SFO played at Burns’ Suppers and Ceilidhs in Delhi, Lisbon and Madeira.

17 March, 2001   Concert in the Barbican Centre, York, in aid of our three Charities.

20 – 21 April, 2001    Our 21 Anniversary Dinner and Dance held in the Elphinstone Halls, Aberdeen with a Concert in the Music Hall the following day.  Speeches by Gerry Crean, Robbie Shepherd, John Mason, Irene Wood and Peter Pybus, a Friend of the SFO.

12 May, 2001   Concert in the Town Hall, Greenock, in aid of “Hope and Homes for Children”, Rotary International’s charity for 2001.  A large group of young players from The Inverclyde Fiddlers accompanied the Orchestra.  Sheila Carswell was the mezzo-soprano.

23 June, 2001   Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, invited to play in lieu of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as part of their Scottish Power Proms Season.  Well attended and very well acclaimed, with Debra Stuart and Jim Nicol as artistes.

25 August, 2001   Concert in the Usher Hall, Belfast, in aid of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund For Children.  The performance was televised by Ulster TV to be broadcast as two or more programmes later.  Our mezzo-soprano was Debra Stuart.

8 July 2001    Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in aid of our Charities for the year.  Some 20 young fiddlers helped to start the second half.  Our mezzo-soprano was Linda Ormiston.

11 September 2001   Concert in Glasgow Cathedral for the International Symposium on Diabetes.  The Concert started with a minutes’ silence in memory of those who lost their lives, or were injured, in the terrorist attack on New York City and with our piper playing the lament The Flowers O’ the Forest.  Our singers were Jim Nicol and Wendy-Anne Duncan of Ayr.

22 September 2001   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of our charities for the year.  Our mezzo-soprano was Mary Cameron.

27 October 2001    Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in aid of our charities.  Wendy-Anne Duncan sang at very short notice due to our original singer taking ill that morning.  The Orchestra was saddened to learn of the death of Dr Colin O’Riordan, Director of Music for Edinburgh and the Lothians and one of our previous conductors, the next morning.

24 November 2001    The Orchestra played at the International Accordion Fun Festival in Paisley Town Hall.

16 March 3002    Concert in the Barbican, York, with Mary Cameron and Dennis Haggerty as soloists.  Patrons and Corporate Sponsors initiated.  Charities for 2002 are RNLI, MacMillan Nurses and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

20 April 2002   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, with young Fiddlers.  Soloists Debra Stuart and Jim Nicol, with Keith Easdale playing Spirit of the Water.  “The Three Cities” video issued.

1 June 2002    Concert in The Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, in memory of our organist from 1980, Stuart Anderson.  Accompanied by Gizzen Briggs from Tain Academy and the Inverness Choral Society, with both of which Stuart was closely associated.  Compere - George Donald of “Scotland the What?”.  No soprano singer.

2 June 2002   A number of the Orchestra left Inverness very early in order to play at a Reception for our Patron The Princess Royal, held in the grounds of Belleisle House Hotel, Ayr.  She had earlier attended morning service at Ayr St Columba Church, as that Sunday was the Queen’s Jubilee Sunday and Princess Anne was the only member of the Royal Household in Scotland that day.

29 June 2002    Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, with Debra Stuart, James Nicol, Jim McColl and Keith Easdale.

29 July  2002   A large section of the SFO played at the Glasgow Armadillo at the prize-giving session of the International Mathematical Olympiad.  Princess Anne presented the Gold medals to the winners.  We were accompanied by the Myra Shuttleworth Highland Dancers from Dumfries.

7 September 2002   Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, with some 90 young fiddlers from Inverclyde and Glasgow.  Alistair Hutton was the piper in Keith Easdale’s absence. For the first time TV advertising of the concert was carried out, on STV, and was very successful financially.

26 October  2002 Concert in the Usher Hall in aid of our supported charities.   A large number of young local fiddlers joined us.

15 March 2003   Concert in the Barbican Centre, York, accompanied by members of the Poppleton Fiddlers.  Singers were Debra Stuart and Dennis Haggerty.

19 April 2003   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, with Jim Nicol and Debra Stuart.  A large and enthusiastic group of local youngsters joined us.  The concert was followed the next day by an Annual general Meeting of the Orchestra.

21 May 2003   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in aid of our nominated charities.

5/6 August 2003  The Orchestra travelled to Londonderry for two successive concerts at the request of the Town Council in the Guildhall.

7 September 2003   Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with local and Inverclyde young players.

25 October 2003    Concert in Greenock Town Hall in aid of the Ardgowan Hospice.  Again accompanied by the Inverclyde Young Fiddlers. Treated to a Civic Reception in the Town Hall.

27 November 2003   A large section of the Orchestra played in the Hunterian Museum, The University of Glasgow, at the request of the Vascular Surgeons’ Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

30 December 2003   Concert in the Usher Hall in aid of Action Research.  The hall was sold out despite the other attractions in the City at that time.

13 March 2004Concert in the Barbican, York with Debra Stuart and Dennis Haggerty soloists. Children from the Poppleton Fiddlers and Friends took part and were given the chance to take a bucket collection at the end which they then donated to a charity of their choice.

24 April 2004 Music Hall, Aberdeen

29 May 2004 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh

17 July 2004  Troon Old Parish Church for Church renovation funds.

24 July - 17 August 2004  Three week tour with Caledon (The Three Scottish Tenors) to Australia and New Zealand taking in 13 concerts in Perth, Mandurah, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

28 August 2004  Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh with Caledon to record a DVD based on the programme used on the above tour.

9 October 2004  A small group played at the Opening of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

23 October 2004  The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 30.12.2004 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh

5 February 2005  Concert in the Theatre Royal, Glasgow with Caledon.

26 February 2005  The Music Hall, Aberdeen - this was our Silver Jubilee concert with a celebratory dinner the night before in the Elphinstone Hall.

23 April 2005  University Hall, York

28 May 2005  The Usher Hall, Edinburgh

27 June 2005  Small group played for the guests arriving at the Conference of the British Association of Urological Surgeons.

30 June to 18 July 2005  Orchestra tour to Canada taking in concerts in Victoria, Vancouver, Terrace, Prince George, Kelowna and Toronto.

29 October 2005  The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

26 November 05  Small group played for the guests arriving at the annual dinner of the DeBRA charity.

30 December 2005  The Usher Hall, Edinburgh

26 March 2006  A small group played , in St John's Kirk, Perth and afterwards at Scone Palace for the celebration in commemoration of the enthronement of Robert the Bruce in 1306

1 April 2006  The Sage Gateshead - The orchestra's first appearance at the Sage with a full capacity of 1600 in the audience.

29 April 2006  The Music Hall, Aberdeen

27 May 2006 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh

17 June 2006 The Equestrian Centre, Alloa on behalf of the Alloa Rotary Club

30 June 2006 A group of 58 played at a concert to celebrate the 80th birthday of Her Majesty The Queen at Balmoral Castle. This was in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust and raised approx. £100,000.

12 August 2006 Concert in aid of the Erskine Hospital which they organised in the Horse Cross Theatre, Perth.

23 October 2006 The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

18 November 2006 Small group played for the guests arriving at the Annual Dinner of the DeBRA charity.

30 December 2006 Concert organised by the Medical Action Research in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh.

24 February 2007 The International Centre, Harrogate - our first time there with a capacity crowd of around 1700.

21 April 2007 The Music Hall, Aberdeen

2 June 2007 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh

13 October 2007 The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow