Robert Burns fiddle to make live audience debut on both sides of Atlantic

A 250-year-old fiddle thought to have been played by Robert Burns will be performed live on stage in the United States for the first time.

The Gregg fiddle, which was reportedly played by Scotland's Bard, will be returned to use in a partnership between Hoolie in the Hydro and the National Trust for Scotland, at performances in the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and Carnegie Hall in New York.

The decorated baroque fiddle was constructed around 1750 and is kept on display in the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, South Ayrshire, where Burns was born.

His dance teacher William Gregg is believed to have played the fiddle more than 250 years ago.

Musicians Alistair McCulloch, of the Royal Conservatoire Scotland, and David Moore, of Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, have been the only people with permission to play it a handful of times a year.

In December, multi-instrumentalist Ewen Henderson will play the Gregg fiddle in front of thousands at Hoolie in the Hydro, Scotland's biggest night of traditional music.

He said: “It’s an honour, and it’s really cool to involve it in a gig like Hoolie at the Hydro, that really pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with traditional music in the 21st century.

“It’s great to involve a really fascinating, historical artefact, of such cultural significance.”

Before adding: “It will be really special, that’s for sure.

“Hopefully everybody who is playing with us will make the fiddle the star of the show for that part of the night. It’s got that extra element of magic to it when you’ve got that connection to the past.”

Celebrated fiddle player and composer Duncan Chisholm will then perform with it in Carnegie Hall for Hoolie in New York in April.

On Tuesday, both musicians travelled to the museum in Alloway to learn the intricacies of the precious instrument from its guardians.

Historic

It was thought to have been played at the Bachelor's Club in Tarbolton where Burns was learning dance steps, and was named among the 25 Objects That Shaped Scotland's History by VisitScotland.

Hoolie in the Hydro began in 2021, organised by musician and broadcaster Gary Innes, and is commemorating 100 years of Scottish music with Hoolie 100 on December 7.

The fiddle will then be played in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of NYC Tartan Week on April 5.

Hoolie in the Hydro organiser Mr Innes, said: "Robert Burns is an unparalleled figure within Scotland's culture, so to be able to bring part of his legacy to the Hoolie stages, both at home and across the Atlantic, is remarkable.

"With the Hoolie brand, I am always looking to break new ground and create memories, reflecting the excitement, energy and heritage of Scotland's vibrant traditional music scene.

"To be able to work with the National Trust for Scotland on something as special as this feels like a landmark occasion - I hope it will create a moment of magic for both the musicians and our audiences."

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