THE athletes who competed for Team Scotland in the Commonwealth Games have been welcomed by cheering crowds waving flags and "thank you" banners during an emotional send-off for Glasgow 2014.

Almost 200 competitors boarded five open-top vehicles outside Kelvingrove Museum in the west end of Glasgow and travelled along packed streets as the parade made its way to George Square, where the team were welcomed on to a stage in front of a 5,000-strong crowd.

The athletes were greeted by a round of applause as they were led out of the grounds of Kelvingrove by a pipe band at around 4.15pm. Arriving in George Square in front of a crowd largely made up of Clydesider volunteers, the athletes were welcomed on stage according to their sport and each was given a rapturous reception.

Some medal winners, such as Eilidh Child and Lynsey Sharp, were unable to take part in the parade because they are competing at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich, but others such as cyclists Neil Fachie and Craig MacLean, judo sisters Kimberley and Louise Renicks and swimmers Ross Murdoch and Erraid Davies were on board the vehicles.

Champion lightweight boxer Charlie Flynn received a resounding cheer when he stepped on to the stage. He said he was "on top of the world", while bowler Alex "Tattie" Marshall said the parade was a "sensational" experience that had left him with goosebumps. "I've never experienced an atmosphere like it," he said.

Scotland fielded its largest ever team at Glasgow 2014, made up of 310 athletes who delivered their greatest ever haul of 53 medals - 19 gold, 15 silver and 19 bronze.