It is with great sadness we share the news of the passing of Yla Steven BEM who died suddenly at home on 14 June 2026.
Blog
Perth Concert Hall sees SFO open its 2026 concert series
We head back to Perth Concert Hall on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Join us for a rousing mix of both traditional and contemporary tunes! The show will also feature RAF Central Scotland Pipes and Drums, and guest singers, Colette Ruddy and Ruaridh Gray.
SFO welcomes back Conductor Andrew McGarva
This performance marks a homecoming in every sense, rekindling Andrew’s partnership with the Orchestra that has spanned more than 30 years and taken him to concert halls across the UK as well as on memorable tours to North America and Down Under.
Blair Parham nominated for Scots Trad Music Award
The SFO are delighted to announce that our Musical Director and Conductor, Blair Parham, has been nominated for a Scots Trad Music Award 2025 in the category of Industry Person of the Year. You can vote for Blair in Category 8 of the Awards, where he is one of the 4 nominees. Congratulations to all finalists in the various categories. “Sleeping Warrior” did not make the shortlist but we discuss the 10 superb albums that did…
The John M. Mason Collection of tunes is published
Exciting news! Through the generous funding of the Rev. James Currie Memorial Trust , J.D.C. Publications Limited, Troon, have published The John M. Mason Collection on 17 October 2025. The publishers have confirmed that first edition copies have been posted out - all...
Sleeping Warrior long-listed for Scots Trad Music Award 2025
We're delighted that the SFO's album "Sleeping Warrior" has been nominated for a Scots Trad Music Award 2025. This is in the category "Album of the Year" at the annual Scots Trad Music Awards. Voting is open in this "Nominations" phase (which lasts until Sunday 19...
John Mason Tunes and Arrangements (delivered to your Email Inbox)
We are offering a free opportunity for you to sample some of John’s own compositions that he scored for the SFO, as well as some of his evocative arrangements of compositions by others (and of some traditional melodies). This is in the form of an email series which will give you a weekly John Mason tune / arrangement direct to your inbox, with a link to a recording on YouTube and some information and background about the melody.
SFO at Fresh Ayr Folk Fest 2025
Thanks to Kevin Kerr- @kevinkerr1010 for these wonderful photos of the SFO at Fresh Ayr Folk Fest 2025!
Sleeping Warrior awakes!
The album features a rich tapestry of tunes from traditional to contemporary, weaving together a musical narrative that is both deeply rooted in traditional Scottish music and refreshingly modern. Conductor Blair Parham, Leader Yla Steven and the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra invite you on a journey through melodies that evoke the spirit of the land, the warmth of its people, the echoes of its history and the future of our music.
Recording a new SFO album for 2025
Over the weekend of 16/17 November 2024, the SFO was in Glasgow to record material for an album to be released in 2025. Here are some of the highlights of that experience. For example: “Never again shall we “headbutt a cadence”!”