Flower Of Scotland

In 1707, England and Scotland were merged into the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which much later became the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland, and finally the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As such, "God Save The King"/"God Save The Queen" is the national anthem of Scotland as much as that of England, a Scottish king having inherited the English throne as early as 1603. Nevertheless, there are two songs which are regarded as unofficial national anthems of the junior partner in their own right: "Scotland The Brave" and "Flower Of Scotland." Though both are modern songs, the latter, which is also known as "O Flower Of Scotland" ("Flùr Na H-Alba" in Scottish Gaelic, and "Flouer O Scotland" in Scots) is probably nearest in temperament to an independent anthem as it alludes to the only significant victory the Scots ever scored over England in their centuries long and at times strained relationship. Robert I (1274-1329) known as Robert The Bruce, defeated the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. He declared himself King of Scotland in 1306, but the King of England had other ideas, and he found himself outlawed. He is said to have been inspired to eventual victory by watching a spider trying repeatedly to fasten its thread on a beam in his hut on the island of Rachrin where he was living in exile. "Flower Of Scotland" does not allude to this inspirational story but to the victory over Edward II. The lyrics were written by Roy Williamson (1936-90) and the song was performed initially by The Corries. The music is actually somewhat older, and was composed by Peter Dodds McCormick (c1834-1916) who immigrated to Australia as a young man, and also composed the National Anthem of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair."

"Flower Of Scotland" is often sung at major sporting events and similar. A full arrangement for orchestra (by Chris Allen) was published by Goodmusic of Tewkesbury some nine years after the death of Roy Williamson.

The title has also been used for a history book: The Flower Of Scotland: A History Of Scottish Monarchy by James J. Sharp, and for the biography of Roy Williamson, which was published by his daughter Karen in 1993.