THANK you, Neil Mackay.
I have wondered if I was the only Scot embarrassed by hearing Flower of Scotland offered as an anthem for our country.
Even more worrying than the song itself is the idea that anyone could possibly consider it appropriate as an anthem for, well, anything.
I wonder if The Herald or anyone else could lead a move to create a Scottish national anthem that would meet our aspiration to be a small, modern, forward-looking country making its way in the 21st century.
Ritchie Ross,
Alloway
NEIL Mackay must be having a laugh (“Why I hate Flower of Scotland and God Save the Queen”, The Herald, October 1).
I heard the Corries singing Flower of Scotland in the 1960s at the Empire Theatre in Inverness when it was sung in a very gentle, reflective manner.
The only hate I see being glorified is in Mr Mackay’s headline.
George F Campbell,
Glasgow
I AGREE with Neil Mackay that Scotland’s national anthem should be forward-looking and inclusive.
However, as a tool of revolution Scots Wha’ Hae has a more interesting history than is generally known.
It was completed in 1793 on the day of Thomas Muir’s Edinburgh trial for sedition. Muir had tirelessly campaigned for political reforms such as the universal male franchise.
The lyrics referred to the Battle of Bannockburn; the melody was the tune which the Scottish army played when supporting Joan of Arc at the Battle of Orleans.
Robert Burns sent it to his publisher with a postscript referring to “other struggles of the same nature, not quite so ancient.”
Despite its apparently medieval subject, the song was immediately banned by the authorities and remained banned for 50 years.
It became a favourite rallying call during the radical wars of the early 19th century in both Scotland and England (for example during the 1820 London-based Cato Street Conspiracy).
Bands playing the tune were everywhere charged with sedition.
Mary McCabe,
Glasgow
CONGRATULATIONS to Neil Mackay for articulating so well what I’ve thought for years, that when it comes to choosing a new national anthem for Scotland, why replace one miserable, tuneless dirge with inappropriate lyrics with another one?
Could I add to Neil’s suggestions for a new anthem, Hamish MacCunn‘s The Land of the Mountain and the Flood, a great tune which celebrates the beauty and majesty of Scotland?
Although there aren’t any lyrics to this piece I’m sure that we have the talent in this country to add great lyrics that don’t refer to “defeating proud Edward’s army and sending him homeward to think again” or “sending her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us”.
Stuart Neville,
Clydebank
I DON’T doubt the sincerity of Mr Mackay’s sentiments for a moment.
Flower of Scotland might be, as he says, a dirge, though I would take issue with his argument that it is a dreadful song.
I have heard it sung on numerous occasions at Murrayfield prior to Scottish rugby international matches, and the mass singing of it in that stadium never fails to move me,
I cannot think of any other Scottish song that has the power to unite 50,000 strangers in the way that Flower of Scotland does.
Mr Mackay argues that the song implies we are insular and self-centred.
I think he is overstating the case and anyway, what is wrong with a song that enables us to take pride in our small country and who we are as a people?
Where I do agree with him is that Caledonia, by Dougie McLean, might be an acceptable replacement as an unofficial national anthem
Michael Smith,
Glasgow
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel