Scotland puts on a show at Commonwealth Games ahead of independence vote

Scotland put on a high-energy Commonwealth Games opening ceremony featuring a bevy of celebrities, including Billy Connolly and Rod Stewart, before the Queen and a TV audience of hundreds of millions.

 

It was a colourful, chest-beating show by the city of Glasgow at Celtic Park, no doubt intended to stir the emotions of every proud Scot with the referendum on Scottish independence due on 18 September. 

 

As Her Majesty arrived, “God Save The Queen”struck up and the take-up in the stadium was split – just as the vote will be in two months’ time.

 

 

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond was there, as was the UK Prime Minister David Cameron and a clutch of other top politicians. 

 

And what they saw was a confection of everything Scottish – and near-Scottish. 

 

Entertainment included Glasgow-born Stateside entertainer John Barrowman, London-born rocker  Stewart (whose father was Scottish) and Big Yin Connolly, who has lived mostly in the United States for the last 30 years.

 

Glasgow’s production also featured dancers dressed as giant Tunnock’s teacakes, an inflatable Loch Ness monster, and copious bagpipes.