Up and anthem

David Roche (Letters, 4 January) suggests relegating Flower of Scotland “to sporting occasions and the pub”. The pub, perhaps, but please deliver our sporting occasions from this dirge. Whoever went into action to a wimpish slow waltz?

I agree with Donald Glass; we need a “rousing, good tune”. A lively march like Scotland the Brave is perfect. I fear for our doughty rugby and soccer players who are up against the blood-coursing martial anthems of France and Italy. The Welsh anthem has the power to inspire red-shirted players and spectators with passion.

It’s worth stressing that it is quite impossible to play the final phrase of Flower of Scotland “tae think again” on the pipes.

I can remember being thrilled to my core to hear at Hogmanay the late and much lamented Kenneth McKellar sing Scotland the Brave. Beam him out on the loudspeakers and we’ll win the Six Nations!

(REV) CLIFFORD HUGHES

Rumbling Bridge

Kinross

Much of the correspondence about alternative Scottish anthems has been interesting and various contenders have been suggested.

However, should those who attend sporting events not be asked their opinion? After all, they’re the ones who pay to go to the stadia. They had Scotland the Brave but didn’t like it very much. They took to Flower of Scotland, which delivers an adrenaline charge before the contest, and liked it a lot. They still do.

Can you imagine 40,000 spectators being required to sing something they have little or no interest in? If the lyrics of Flower of Scotland are offensive to some progressive tastes, perhaps we could avoid unpleasant reactions by taking up Billy Connolly’s suggestion and humming along to The Archers theme tune.

K MCLEOD

Ralston Drive

Kirkcaldy, Fife