An Aberdeen man has lodged a petition at Holyrood calling for Flower of Scotland to be officially recognised as the country’s national anthem.
Chris Cromer, 20, from Bridge of Don said he believed the song would help pull together Scots after the bruising and divisive independence referendum.
He stressed he was not calling for the song to replace God Save the Queen which is the UK’s national anthem.
Mr Cromer said the electric atmosphere at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer showed why Flower of Scotland should be officially embraced.
The youth politician, who has represented Aberdeen Donside in the Scottish Youth Parliament, said the “incredible passion of the athletes and spectators singing the song was unbelievable”.
Mr Cromer said the song, written by the late Roy Williamson of The Corries in 1965, has been sung before and during football matches at Hampden Park and rugby union games at Murrayfield Stadium.
In a submission to Holyrood’s public petitions committee, he said many opinion polls showed the song was by far the most popular choice for a national anthem in Scotland.
“At this time in Scotland’s history, it is vital that we have a song to pull us all together and I believe that there is none better than Flower of Scotland’ to do this,” he added.
“Therefore, I call on the Scottish Parliament to legislate to ensure that Flower of Scotland’ becomes Scotland’s official national anthem.”
Many famous singers have sung ‘Flower of Scotland’ before Scotland matches at Hampden Park including Ronnie Browne of The Corries, Julie Fowlis, Amy Macdonald and Donnie Munro.