Think again

Flower of Scotland has been criticised as a Scottish anthem (Letters, passim). For the moment, we seem to be stuck with it as a sporting anthem, by popular demand. Personally I like the tune, though not the words.

But I would much rather we used the very old tune, with the relatively modern words and name given to it by Robert Burns, of Scots Wha Hae. There is no suggestion that it cannot satisfactorily be played on bagpipe. Anyone who thinks it too warlike might care to consider the much bloodier words of the Marseillaise, which the French are unlikely to change for the sake of political correctness.

My copy of the Scottish Students Song Book of 1897 gives Scots Wha Hae as our national song. And unlike Flower of Scotland, it is long out of copyright!

DAVID STEVENSON

Blacket Place

Edinburgh