Tag: National Anthem

Meet the Tattoo Piper who helped fire up Scotland’s World Cup dream

Major Stevie Small MBE, Performance Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, had the unforgettable honour of piping the Scotland National Team onto the pitch ahead of last night’s World Cup Qualifier victory at Hampden.

Dressed in the Tattoo’s Performer’s signature Tartan,  Stevie delivered a hair-raising rendition of the national anthem to a sold-out Hampden crowd, setting the tone for a night fans won’t ever forget.

Speaking after the match, Stevie said: “Leading the Scotland team in the national anthem on the night we qualified for the 2026 World Cup was an incredible honour.

“The atmosphere at Hampden was the best I’ve ever experienced, the crowd were so loud I could barely hear myself play. It took me right back to when Kenny Dalglish scored against Wales in ’77 to send us to Argentina.

“Working with the Tattoo has opened the door to so many unexpected opportunities like this, and I feel genuinely privileged.

“And yes… I’ll absolutely be following the team to the World Cup next year. C’mon Scotland!”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for their 2026 Show, A Call to Gather, from 7-29 August and tickets can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.

Flower of Scotland is fans’ choice

scots fans

The majority of Scotland supporters are in favour of Flower of Scotland being officially recognised as the country’s national anthem, the SFA has announced.

The Scottish FA was asked to provide football’s view by the Scottish Parliamentary Petition Committee and the decision to ask the fans was met with an overwhelming 35,000 responses in 48 hours.

Of those polled across the SFA’s Scotland Supporters Club (SSC) membership, and a social media audience in excess of 500,000, 56% were in favour of the Scottish Government officially recognising the anthem, with 44% opposed to the formalisation.

The poll was circulated to 35,000 SSC members as well as through the Scottish FA’s Official Twitter account and Scotland National Team Facebook page.

Interestingly, there was a marked difference between SSC respondents and the social media view. While 65% of the 23,000 social media responses were in favour of official recognition, 60% of the 12,606 SSC respondents were not in favour.

The Scottish FA also gave fans the opportunity to suggest alternatives to Flower of Scotland, which has proven hugely popular in the sporting arena and has been performed at Hampden Park by the likes of Amy Macdonald, Nina Nesbitt, Julie Fowlis, Donnie Munro and last year’s X Factor runner-up, Nicholas McDonald.

Caledonia, the Dougie MacLean classic, figured prominently along with Scotland the Brave as suggested alternatives but there was also significant support for the creation of a new anthem, with notable mentions, also, for the Proclaimers favourite, 500 Miles, and the United Kingdom’s National Anthem, God Save The Queen.

The feedback has now been submitted to the Parliamentary Petition Committee.

A Scottish FA spokesperson said: “The response to the committee’s enquiry has been incredible. The easy option would have been to gauge the Board’s view but the wider consultation not only demonstrates the passion and engagement of our 35,000 Supporters Club members but also highlights the power of social media.

“While the majority of responses were in favour of Flower of Scotland being officially recognised by the Scottish Government, there is also plenty food for thought in the feedback analysis.

“There is clearly an appetite among a section of supporters to give consideration to a new anthem. Scotland the Brave retains an affinity among an element of the supporters with the popularity of The Proclaimers’ crowd-pleaser endures.”

Proclaimers