Scotland gets its national anthem

It was penned to celebrate the nation's greatest military victory. Now Flower of Scotland, the song that honours the heroes of Bannockburn, will mark our sporting triumphs too.

Scotland's athletes chose the 1967 Corries hit as the song they hope will accompany them as they collect gold medals at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

They did so by a resounding 211 votes to 15, rejecting Scotland The Brave, which was played for their record medal haul in Melbourne in 2006.

They made their decision at a special pre- Commonwealth games camp in Stirling after watching a video montage of Scottish athletes mounting the podium at previous competitions.

A team spokesman said: "There was much excitement when it was announced that, by a landslide, Flower Of Scotland will be the new Team Scotland anthem for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010."

The vote – which was inspired by TV talent shows such as The X Factor and came after Highland Cathedral and Loch Lomond were rejected during an earlier round – is expected to go far to cement Flower Of Scotland as Scotland's de facto national anthem.

The nation doesn't have its own official song or hymn other than the UK's God Save The Queen. Flower Of Scotland is already played before rugby and football matches.

The Commonwealth Games are the only multi-sport event in which Scotland and the other home nations are represented separately rather than as part of the UK.