Man in Black's girl Rosanne Cash returns to her roots for Fife festival

• Johnny Cash, left, with fellow star Andy Williams at Falkland in 1981

The late Johnny Cash was so proud of his Scottish roots he made a number of visits to Fife after a chance encounter on a transatlantic flight led him to discover his family tree stretched back to the 12th century.

Now, his eldest daughter is to return to perform at the estate in Falkland which boasts the little-known family links to the late American singer.

Rosanne Cash has been named one of the headline acts at the estate's annual Big Tent arts and environment festival, and will be topping the bill before around 6,000 fans in July.

Ms Cash, an award-winning singer in her own right, has been lured to Falkland four years after paying a private visit to the area while in Scotland to perform at a concert in Edinburgh. She also travelled to Falkland just three months after the legendary singer's death in 2003 and has previously described Scotland as her "favourite place in the world".

Ms Cash, who will be performing alongside the likes of Phil Kay, King Creosote and Aberfeldy, said: "I'm thrilled to visit Fife again, and delighted to perform at the festival. Falkland is one of the most special places on Earth to me, and I look forward to meeting new friends and continuing my ancestral connection."

Ms Cash's appearance in Falkland this summer is a huge coup for organisers of The Big Tent Festival, which is being held for the fifth time in the grounds of the estate said to have been awarded by King Malcolm to the Earl of Fife in 1160 when the latter married the monarch's niece.

It was Major Michael Crichton- Stuart, the father of the estate's current steward, Ninian, who triggered Johnny Cash's interest in his roots on a flight to New York.

He turned out to be a descendent of Scottish mariner William Cash, who set sail to Salem, Massachusetts, with a boatload of pilgrims.

The singer, who discovered his surname features in a number of streets in Falkland and nearby Strathmiglo, became so interested in his ancestors he even filmed a TV special in Falkland Palace in 1981. He made another two visits before his death.

Ninian Stuart said: "This is the first time Rosanne has performed in Falkland, so it should be pretty special.

"Her performance will see the realisation of a shared dream. This will be a fantastic and moving performance as she reconnects with her Fife and Celtic roots, and sings of her ancestors."