Contrary to some statements. There is absolutely no difference between the shape or size of a fiddle and a violin--both are based on models by Straterverius or several other makers. They are the sames thing. No matter if your in US, Britain, Shetland, france, ireland, britteny, or bum freak Egypt. Quite a few American fiddlers (and a few Irish/Scottish) have flattened bridges but this is not a requirement.

Because I`m in Scotland, what I hear is normally fiddle, not violin. I think (but don`t hold me to this) that there are a few minor differences but fiddle music could be played on violin and vice versa.

they are the same instrument. a violin is called a fiddle when playing bluegrass or country music. thats all.

the difference is only how you play.

Just read a book about building violins. In the book he refers to Fiddle as English and Violin as French. Why not use English if we have an English word for it?

The book is "Violin Making as it was and is" by Ed Heron-Allen. Published in 1885 !

Mike