A PEEBLESSHIRE composer has told of her shock after her music featured at a special Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen.

Savourna Stevenson’s choral work, a setting of Psalm 121, was performed at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on September 12.

The 61-year-old, who was born in West Linton, was commissioned in 2019 by the Friends of Music at St Giles' to write the piece.

And the former Peebles High School pupil said she thought she was being scammed when she received the surprise email from the Royal household's lawyer, asking if her work could be used at the ceremony.

The music was performed by the choir, accompanied by organist Jordan English, for the occasion and was watched my millions of people across the world.

Savourna said: “It was a big surprise when I received an email from the Royal household’s lawyer saying that they wanted to use my piece at the ceremony.

"I fact I was very dubious at first and thought it may be a scam.

“But it was a great honour to be one of only two living Scottish composers, along with James MacMillan to have our choral music performed at the service.

“I believe that Psalm 121 ‘I lift up my eyes to the hills’ was one of the Queen’s favourites and I think that Michael Harris, the master of the music at St Giles, put it forward.

“I feel very lucky to have been commissioned to write it during lockdown and I took inspiration from getting out on the mountains and hills of Scotland. I made it quite haunting and am terribly pleased with it.

“What I think it was really nice about the service was that it has given Scottish music a chance to shine.”

The composer/harpist has written a considerable body of work for choirs, including commissions for the National Youth Choirs of Scotland, Cappella Nova and a commission by the Scottish Vocal Ensemble for a Scottish carol, which was premiered at Holyrood Palace in December 2019.

Savourna also has a new harp album about to be released on Cooking Vinyl Records called “Wine of Life”, with her saxophonist Steve Kettley.

The pair will also be appearing at the Heart of Hawick on Saturday, November 26 at 7.30pm.