Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended a special public concert by the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries on Saturday 18 April.
HRH has been Patron of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra since 1983 and was accompanied by her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. She was hosted by Dr Fiona Armstrong, Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, and joined by members of the Lieutenancy and invited guests.
Dumfries is a popular venue for the orchestra and this year’s programme featured a range of traditional Scottish music – including performances from the Dumfries Pipe Band.
Founded as a charity in 1980, the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra has spent more than 45 years promoting and performing across Scotland, the UK and internationally. Widely regarded as Scotland’s leading fiddle group, membership is by audition, ensuring a high standard of performance. The Orchestra has enjoyed longstanding support from its Patron, The Princess Royal, who regularly attends its performances.
During the concert the Dumfries Pipe Band, established in 2014, performed alongside the Orchestra. These musicians have grown from a youth membership into a successful competing pipe band. They play an active role in supporting community events across Dumfries and Galloway and were crowned Scottish Champions in their grade at the Scottish Championships in 2025.
This week the late Queen Elizabeth II would have been 100 – and before the performance, HRH inspected a maple tree planted by her mother during a royal visit in 2010. Inside the hall she met representatives from the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and the Dumfries Pipe Band. She also signed the visitor’s book and received a posy before departing.
Speaking after the event, Dr Fiona Armstrong, Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, said:
“It was a great pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Dumfries. Her support for Scotland is unstinting. The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and the Dumfries Pipe Band delivered a wonderful evening of music, one that showcased the strength of our traditional arts and the commitment of musicians who give so much to our cultural life. The occasion was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.”
The concert took place at the Easterbrook Hall, a venue located within The Crichton campus and with a long history of hosting cultural events in Dumfries.
One partner. No competitors. Full visibility across the region.
