Scottish Patriotic Song - “Scotland the Brave”

“Scotland the Brave” is a Scottish patriotic song, one of three often considered an unofficial Scottish national anthem (the others being “Flower of Scotland” and “Scots Wha Hae”).

The tune was first played probably in the late 19th century. The lyrics commonly used now were written about 1950 by Scottish journalist Clifford Leonard Clark “Cliff” Hanley for singer Robert Wilson as part of an arrangement by Marion McClurg. Another set of lyrics also often heard were sung by Canadian singer John Charles McDermott; they are closely based on the poem “Let Italy Boast” by James Hyslop, which was first published in 1821 in The Edinburgh Magazine. However, Hyslop intended his poem to be sung to the melody of Sir Walter Scott of Abbotsford, 1st Baronet’s “Boat Song” from “The Lady of the Lake” and not “Scotland the Brave”.

“Scotland the Brave” is also the authorized pipe band march of the British Columbia Dragoons of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“Scotland the Brave” was played before matches involving the Scotland national football team at the 1982, 1986, and 1990 FIFA World Cups. “Flower of Scotland” was subsequently adopted by Scotland for use at FIFA-sponsored events, after its usage by the Scottish rugby union team. The song was also used to represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games until it was replaced by “Flower” from the 2010 games onwards.

In June 2006, the song rated second in an online poll with more than 10,000 votes to determine Scotland’s favorite unofficial anthem, losing only to “Flower”.