MEMBERS of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra have returned home after going down a storm on a tour of the United States - but audiences on their home turf don't have too long to wait to hear the group perform again.

The orchestra wowed audiences during a tour which included a concert at Gracelands - the home of Elvis Presley.

The 75-strong orchestra also visited NASA's Houston Spaceport - where they managed to get in a plug for the now developing Prestwick Spaceport.

And their grand tour, which took in Newnan in Georgia, New Orleans in Louisiana, Memphis, Tennessee and Houston, Texas, started off in fine style when they performed an impromptu mini concert on their flight from Amsterdam to Georgia - much to the delight of the other passengers and crew members.

Ayr Advertiser: The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra

The orchestra, with musicians aged between 12 and 21, celebrated their 40th anniversary last year.

This was their 22nd international concert tour and included members from every part in the county.

And one of the highlights was the visit to Graceland, where they entertained visitors with both The Star Spangled Banner and Scotland The Brave.

And they finished off with a classic Elvis tune - Can't Help Falling In Love.

Another highlight was a visit to the spaceport in Houston. There, they received a message of support from Central Ayrshire MP Dr Philippa Whitford and replied: "We made sure we flew the flag for Prestwick’s spaceport!"

Ayr Advertiser: The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra

The orchestra's arrival and performances in the US towns also made headlines in the local press there.

Many of the shows were followed by a traditional ceilidh, which American audiences loved.

The group said on their Facebook page: "Our final concert of our tour, in Houston, was a great finale and we had a fantastic audience cheering us on. What a wonderful tour."

And those who are keen to hear the orchestra a little closer to home don't have too long to wait - less than 24 hours, to be exact.

They will take to the stage at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway this Friday, August 4, for a joint concert with members of the Ayr-Paris Band - a community concert band from the towns of Ayr and Paris in the Canadian province of Canada, who are visiting Ayr for their final concert on a summer tour which has also included performances in Glasgow, Dundee, Balmoral, Inverness and Inveraray.

This Friday's concert begins at 2.30pm.

After that it's finally time for the orchestra to put down their instruments, if only for a few weeks - the first rehearsal of AFO’s new session will be on Saturday, August 26 at 1.45pm in Kingcase Church Hall, Prestwick.

All violinists, cellists, bassists and guitarists are welcome. There are no charges for membership.