Games anthem shortlist vote due

Caitlin McClatchey celebrated gold in 2006 to Scotland the Brave

Four anthems have been shortlisted to represent Scotland's winners at next year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Since 1958, Scotland the Brave has been played when Scots won gold.

Highland Cathedral, Flower of Scotland and Loch Lomond have also been put on the list to be voted on at a Games dinner on Saturday 14 November.

Commonwealth Games Scotland said the lack of a recognised anthem had created confusion amongst the athletes, team members, spectators and viewers.

Chairman, Michael Cavanagh, said: "At the Awards Dinner on Saturday night we will give our wider stakeholders the opportunity to have an input into this process.

The four contenders

"Students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Arts Music and Drama will perform a shortlist of four options and at the end of the evening, guests will be asked to cast their vote."

He said the most popular two anthems will be presented to prospective Delhi 2010 team members at their Team Camp in January, where they will make the final choice of anthem to be played at the Games.

Mr Cavanagh added: "Hopefully, by the time we reach the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow there will be an official anthem that is nationally recognised and endorsed through our parliament and one that the whole of Scotland can unite behind on what will be a fabulous and memorable occasion for all Scots."

Hearing the anthem in Melbourne was one of the proudest moments of my life Gregor Tait Medal-winning swimmer

Gregor Tait, gold-medal winning swimmer from the 2006 Games in Melbourne, stressed what an important issue the anthem was for the athletes.

He said: "Hearing the anthem in Melbourne was one of the proudest moments of my life.

"To see the flag being raised to Scotland the Brave really made me feel Scottish and proud.

"Without these moments Melbourne would not have been so memorable. Whatever anthem is chosen this time, it must evoke those same feelings."

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Flower of Scotland has been used by the Scotland national rugby union team and was first sung as the pre-match anthem during the 1990 Five Nations championship.

The Scottish Football Association then adopted 'Flower of Scotland' as its official anthem in 1997, although it had been used by them in 1993.

Scotland the Brave has been used since 1958 as the anthem for Scottish teams at the Commonwealth Games.

In the 1982 and in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the Scottish national football team used it as its anthem.

Highland Cathedral has become one of the best-known bagpipe tunes in the world, especially after being featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

It was chosen by Madonna to be played at her Highland wedding and has also been played alongside Flower of Scotland at rugby internationals.

Loch Lomond has been recorded by many performers over the years.

Both Runrig and Quadriga Consort performed Loch Lomond as their concert's final song.