ACCLAIMED folk singer Dougie Mclean returns to Wirral as part of his current tour next week.

The Scottish star - who has earned a reputation as one of the world's greatest singer / songwriters - is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Friday, March 28.

In a career spanning 40 years, Dougie he has performed at concerts and festivals all over the world including New York's Carnegie Hall, Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall and London’s Festival Theatre.

Looking forward to the show, Dougie told the Globe: "I love coming to Wirral, the venue is great and the audiences very receptive.

"Merseyside has a great musical heritage, particularly with bands like The Beatles, so it's great to perform here.

"I don't like to make my shows to formal, in fact I try to make my audiences feel like they are in my front room. It's a very relaxed night."

The 59-year-old's songs have been covered by artists including Paolo Nutini, Amy MacDonald, Ronan Keating, Mary Black, Frankie Miller and Kathy Mattea.

Last year he recorded an album with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, due for release later this year, in time for a special performance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

He said: "I'm a folksinger really, but a folksinger in the true sense of the word. My music draws on my Scottish roots.

"One of the great thrills about being a songwriter is hearing other people record your songs.

"It's really nice hearing your music played by an orchestra. When the orchestra starts playing it lifts you. I work with a fantastic arranger.

"Apart from the orchestra, I’ve also got a band called the Maclean Project, and a rock-type band.

"So, it's an interesting and uplifting way of hearing your music played in different styles."

His song Caledonia has become one of Scotland's most popular contemporary songs.

His music has also been used in Hollywood films, including Last of the Mohicans, which starred Daniel Daye Lewis, and BBC TV drama A Mug's Game. He has also been the subject of three BBC TV music documentaries.

His work has not gone un-noticed, receiving numerous gold discs for album sales, two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

On the acclaim, Dougie said: "I've been very lucky to be recognised. It's not easy, as a folksinger, to be recognised by the establishment. To do so means they acknowledge the work I've done.

"I've travelled thousands of miles and performed in front of thousands of people, so I think the recognition shows I’ve done good work."

Looking to the future, he said: "It's not an easy business, particularly as an independent musician, but it's fair to say I've had a lot of success and am still busy.

"I'm still writing more than ever and have not stopped touring."

Tickets for Dougie’s show at the Floral Pavilion, which starts at 8pm, are from www.floralpavilion.com and 0151 666 0000.