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Around 600 friends, family and fans of STUART ADAMSON gathered in the BIG COUNTRY star's hometown of DUNFERMLINE last night (January 27) to pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter.

The emotionally-charged remembrance service at the town's Carnegie Hall - which was opened by a lone piper playing 'Flowers Of The Forest' - was hosted by Adamson's former Skids band-mate
Richard Jobson, who introduced several guest speakers and performers including Adamson's two children Callum, 19, and Kirsten, 15.

Kirsten performed the song 'Angel' with keyboard player Josh Phillips and Callum, reminisced on his father, describing him as "my father, friend and inspiration" who "encouraged me to follow my heart."

Both then joined their father's former Big Country band-mates Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki for renditions of two of the band's songs, 'Fragile Thing' from their last album 'The Road To Damascus' and the band's early classic, 'Chance', which closed the ceremony and saw the entire assembled audience on its feet singing along, many in tears.

There had been tears earlier in the service too, when Jim Leishman, the infamous former player and chairman of Adamson's beloved Dunfermline Athletic Football
Club had to cut short his speech when he was overcome with emotion, reminiscing about the singer and his long association with and passion for the club.

Jobson paid his own tribute to Adamson by singing an acoustic version of their Skids hit 'Into The Valley' accompanied by Bruce Watson on guitar.

Other speakers included Big Country's manager Ian Grant - who had been a close friend of Adamson from the band's inception and had helped co-ordinate the search from him when he went missing in the US, where he latterly lived, after losing his battle against alcoholism last year; Tony Butler; long-term friend and colleague, gig promoter Barry Wright of Regular Music; and high school friend David Allan.

Tributes and messages of condolence were read out from Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of Clash, David Bowie, The Edge, Steve Harley and Nils Lofgren.

Video footage was played showing Adamson in his early Skids days, and Big Country live in concert.

Others in attendance at the service - which was broadcast to assembled listeners outside - included Fish, members of Runrig and many of Adamson's former musical colleagues and family, including his first wife Sandra, the mother of his children.

Discussions are beginning this week between Ian Grant and Dunfermline Athletic FC to organise a tribute concert for Adamson, who committed suicide on December 16, hanging himself in a hotel room in Hawaii.

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