To think Scotland wins hands down in the National Anthem stakes.

[KurriKurri]

Just watching the start of the Scotland/Brazil match.

I'm not Scottish (DH is) but every time I hear Flower of Scotland I get a lump in my throat - it is the most fabulous stirring, National Anthem I've every heard. I'm very

You're definitely not being unreasonable!!

Of course we do it best!

As long as it's sung properly and in tempo then it's great - but the amount of times it ends up being dragged out does spoil it somewhat

I'm afraid I disagree despite my Scottishness - I think it's cheesy. Sorry - it stirs up old jingoistic sentiments IMO.

I'd rather we had Highland Cathedral which is beautiful either sung or pplayed on the pipes.

Isn't the national anthem Scotland the Brave? Flower of Scotland is relatively modern (by The Corries?) and was adopted by the SRU for rugby matches and has spread to other sports. Still always sounds fab at Murrayfield!

I agree that it rocks - also who knows the words to Scotland the Brave?

pplayed - played obviously!

YANBU

'Bout the only thing we win hands down at though

I think it's a wee bit of a dirge tbh, and I'm Scottish! It's also got bits where the time signature goes funny and nobody quite knows how long to hold the notes on '"your like agaaaain" and "fou-ought and died fooooorrrr".

It's also stuck in the past with its anti-Englishness (and I'm a total Scot Nat!). We need something more positive and forward-looking.

(Doesn't mean I don't like swaying around singing it when I've had a wee babycham or two though ... !)

Not a patch on the italian anthem

Yes Scarlett - that's what I mean but you said it better!

I think we should put it to a national referendum

That's OK Salmotrutta - I did ask if IWBU - do you rate it above the dreaded 'God Save the Queen?'

I do take the point about the words to Flower of Scotland - but the tune is brilliant IMO.

Oo, I don't know the Italian one, Fresh - must YouTube it. The South African one sends shivers down my spine though, wish we had that one!

I always think the Marseillaise (sp) sounds very rousing. And Oh Canada sounds quite good.

Surely the Welsh one is the most stirring? 'Flower of Scotland' sounds like a drunken sea shanty by comparison...

Oh and yes bits of it are tricky to sing - as evidenced by DH's warbling.

YY to South Africa. Shivery-making indeed!

Kurri - I do think Flower of Scotland beats God save the Queen - that really is very dull and dirge-like!!

Ah see now people are mentioning some other good ones. 'Advance Australia Fair' isn't bad either. Welsh good too. Must look up the SA one.

Are we all agreed that GSTQ is the worst - or is it just me that hates it?

It is, without doubt, the best.

Oh, alright them I AM Scottish!

p.s. love the Marseillaise (if sp wrong, blame Salmontrutta).

I.'m Scottish and I love the Welsh one.
I like South Africas too

Flower of Scotland is not the Scottish national anthem.

There is no official national anthem of Scotland, however a number of songs are used as de facto Scottish anthems, most notably Flower of Scotland and Scotland the Brave. God Save the Queen is the national anthem for the United Kingdom as a whole and is used in Scotland in that context.
In 2004, lawyers for the devolved Scottish Parliament advised that it was within the legal competence of the Scottish Parliament to choose a national anthem for Scotland countering the suggestion that it would be a matter reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This ruling prompted some interest in the idea, and a petition to the Scottish Parliament's petitions committee supported by the Scottish Green Party was referred without recommendation to the Scottish Executive who chose to take no action, considering the issue not to be a political priority. There have been subsequent attempts to re-open the debate on a national anthem for Scotland.

Oh grovel - I am grovelling now then apologies. It is used as a national Anthem though isn't it (In a context where a NA is required) ?

sorry x-posted - thank you for the explanation

KurriKurri, I am just indulging myself. I enjoy a bit of pedantry after Sunday lunch. A failing of mine.

I thought God Save The Queen was the national anthem for the UK as a whole. I don't think Scotland and Wales have their own official anthems.

That's OK - I'm keen on pedantry as well as National Anthems