SINGING star Barbara Dickson is returning to the place she knows so well to honour the man she describes as "possibly the greatest benefactor ever".

The singer is coming back to her roots this weekend to perform a special acoustic concert at the Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, as part of the celebrations to mark the 100th year since the death of Andrew Carnegie.

For the 71 year-old, marking such an occasion will be an honour.

"It is such a celebration for me," she told the Times, "I would think my generation thought more about Carnegie and knew more about him than people nowadays do. Going back 50 years or so, our benefits from his generosity was enormous.

"When I think about this, it is not only the Carnegie Hall and the Bennachie, but the legacy – the library and all these things and the stuff that he paid for like the famous children's gala day. It was a wonderful gala day which, when I was young, was for all the children right up to school-leaving age. Carnegie was a great, great man. I am very proud to be involved in the concert and celebrate the fact that he lived in and was born in Dunfermline."

For Barbara, returning to the famous Dunfermline venue is something which is always special to her.

"I really, really like the Carnegie Hall. I love the place because it has long, long historical memories for me from being there as a little girl dancing in Miss Holroy's dancing school when I was about five. I was never very good at dancing. I seem to think everyone went one way and I went the other.

"The smell of the theatre – smell memories are interesting. When I went back in 1977 I could smell that memory, like the gym shoes and chalk and all sorts of things. I am used to going back and I love it.

"I am coming with Nick Holland who is my keyboard player. I am bringing Anthony Toner to open up the show and he is an excellent songwriter.

"The intimacy of the show will be just brilliant, the Carnegie Hall is a wonderful venue for that."

"I think it is going the right way. I still think it is not given enough importance. People tend to drive past and don't realise what is here.

The performance in Dunfermline is one of a string which she has scheduled over the coming months.

"I am delighted to be asked to do that," added Barbara. "I am very busy. I am making an album which won't be out of the door until next year. I am doing a lot of lovely work. I am doing some recording and just keeping my hand in and doing anything I like that comes my way, anything I am offered that I think. 'That would be fun'."

The Carnegie centenary concert will take place on September 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available by visiting onfife.com.