Veteran Scottish rocker Rod Stewart has notched his first British album chart number one in 34 years, setting a new record for the longest gap at the top by a UK act.

The 68-year-old father-of-eight achieved the landmark with Time, a collection of autobiographical songs.

It is his first fully self-penned album in two decades, and his eighth British number one album. Stewart's last chart-topper came in 1979, with Greatest Hits Vol 1.

Stewart has also announced that he will open The Hydro arena in Glasgow on September 30. The announcement follows concern over whether the new £125million venue will be ready in time.

The Celtic fan, regularly seen at Parkhead, said putting together his new autobiography had freed up the normally slow songwriting process.

He said: "I've written some decent songs, but I've never considered myself a songwriter because it doesn't come naturally. "It doesn't flow out of my pen like it does with some songwriters, it's always been a struggle. It was much more enjoyable this time round."

Stewart starts a tour next month, and hopes at some point to work again with old Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, now with the Rolling Stones.

"Once that window of opportunity opens up, then Ronnie and I will get together and we'll all come out on Zimmer frames and wheelchairs, but we'll do it," he said.

Tom Jones was the previous British record holder for "biggest gap". He reached number one in 2000 with Reload, some 32 years after Delilah in 1968.

Bob Dylan retains the overall record, having waited more than 38 years for his 1970 New Morning to be followed up with Together Through Life, which went to number one in 2009.

In Sunday's album chart, another veteran, Abba's Agnetha Faltskog, achieved the highest charting record of her solo career with a sixth place for A, her first new album in almost a decade.

Stewart will play The Hydro as part of his five date Time Tour in September. Tickets for the dates go on sale on Friday, May 24.

He said: "I have been looking forward to this as I’ve watched The Hydro take shape. 2013 is a momentous year for me. I cannot wait to get back to Scotland and perform in front of a live audience at this spectacular venue.”

However, there are concerns that the venue may not be ready on time following reports that work on the arena could be up to two months behind schedule. The Hydro, which sits alongside the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow, is also running millions of pounds over budget amid legal wranglings between the contractor and the client, the SECC.

Main contractor Lend Lease is holding out for around £98 million while the SECC is sticking to a fee of around £90m in a disagreement over the final bill.

The delay is casting serious doubt as to whether shows by Rod Stewart Fleetwood Mac, Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel, the Proclaimers, Jessie J and Andrea Bocelli are to go ahead.