The Scottish Government is to be asked to launch a public consultation on whether Flower of Scotland should become the country’s official national anthem.
Holyrood’s public petitions committee decided on the course of action yesterday after Aberdeen man Chris Cromar appeared in front of members.
The 22-year-old student of Lochside Road, Bridge of Don, said he believed it was a people’s anthem and would help “unite the nation” after the independence referendum.
Mr Cromar stressed he was not calling for the “emotionally stirring” song to replace God Save the Queen, which is the UK’s national anthem, and claimed Flower of Scotland was not “anti-English”.
He pointed out that the song – written by the late Roy Williamson of The Corries in 1965 – was sung before and during football matches at Hampden Park, at rugby union games at Murrayfield Stadium and at the Commonwealth Games last summer.
Mr Cromar said: “This song is about Scotland and brings people together regardless of their political beliefs or background.”
Labour MSP John Pentland, who chaired the meeting, said Flower of Scotland was a good song but questioned whether it would be a good national anthem.
“I would like to think Scotland 700 years on (from the theme of the song) was a forward looking and welcoming country and things that happened in the past should perhaps be left in the past,” he said.
“Do you not think this is a great opportunity for some of our young musicians, composers to perhaps put pen to paper and come up with a new song that highlights the good that happens in Scotland?”
Mr Cromar, who served as the Scottish Youth Parliament member for Aberdeen Donside from 2011-13, said there was massive support for the song and it was recognised around the world.
“It is a song that all Scots really appreciate and I do not think it is a song that is stuck in the past at all,” he said.
The committee decided to ask SNP ministers to consider launching a consultation on whether there should be an official national anthem for Scotland, examining what song it should be whether it is old or new.
Members also agreed to seek the views of the Scottish Football Association, Scottish Rugby and Scottish National Orchestra.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Cromar, who studies politics and international relations at Aberdeen University, said he was “really pleased” that the committee had decided to take his petition forward.
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