Nicola Benedetti

The 18-year-old classical violin virtuoso from Ayrshire hit the headlines at 16 when she won BBC Young Musician of Year in 2004 and performed at the opening of the Scottish Parliament. Since then, the former Yehudi Menuhin School pupil has been wowing audiences all over the world but loves coming back to Scotland…

I have had some amazing experiences as a Scot in the last few years.

Playing at the opening of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood on 9 October 2004 was one of those unexpected but fantastic events.

It was a really emotional day and everyone in the room seemed to have such great intentions. I was very honoured to be asked to perform there.

When I won BBC Young Musician of the Year, I was the first Scot ever to win. I was so grateful for taking part and having the most memorable time – the orchestra, the conductor and playing live on TV. I learnt so much and it gave me such reassurance in my playing.

For me, Scotland holds some fantastic childhood memories. I think my favourite spot has to be where my grandmother used to live in a cottage on the Auchinleck estate in South Ayrshire. I used to go walking there when I was younger, I miss it so much.

I also believe Gleneagles is spectacular – I performed there recently; I swear there's something in the air…

When I am away from Scotland, I miss the accent, the atmosphere and the friendliness.
There’s a real feeling of acceptance. I just love the brutal honestly here. You know where you stand – there's a natural communication.

And the pace of life is slower in Scotland; people are more appreciative of life and the country is so untouched.

I am not sure what made me want to be a musician as my parents aren't musical. My sister had wanted to play from a young age so I went for lessons, following in her footsteps. I loved it and took to it very quickly.

I think there's a lot of musical talent in Scotland. I toured with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra last year and St Mary’s School of Music in Edinburgh is doing very well.

I feel that there's a need to encourage as many visiting teachers as possible to Scotland, to plant their influence here from all over the world. It would be great for Scotland to be receptive to as many different methods of teaching as it can.

There are so many different things I love about the violin. I can't really define it but I love giving live performances, that physical feeling of playing, communicating with the audience. I adore the feeling of the violin under my chin and the sound of the music I am playing.

I am inspired by loads of different levels of people – my violin teacher, Maciej Rakowski – listening to him play and his dedication are all inspiring; my mum (who is Scottish) and dad (who is Italian – my grandparents came to Scotland from Italy) for always encouraging me; and people who struggle through different times with very little thanks... people who continue to do thankless jobs. In the world of music, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, of course.

Being a Brit abroad, I get a very positive response. But if I say I am Scottish – especially in the US – I get an amazing reaction!