Bagpiper calls for new Scottish anthem

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GLASGOW, Scotland, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A prominent Scottish bagpiper says his country should find a better anthem than the "Flower of Scotland" before the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Donald Glass, who runs the Scottish Bagpipe Composition Co. and previously led Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities Officers' Training Corps to victory in the World Pipe Band Championships, said the "backward-looking and depressing" song should be replaced with an "uplifting" piece of music to better reflect modern-day Scotland, The Scotsman reported Monday.

"Flower of Scotland" was written by Roy Williamson of the folk group The Corries in 1967. It concerns Robert the Bruce's defeat of Edward II at Bannockburn in 1314.

Robert Wallace, principal of the College of Piping in Glasgow, said he agrees with Glass.

"'Flower of Scotland' is politically embarrassing. In particular, the words 'Proud Edward's army' have political overtones which are out of date," Wallace said. "If we are to have a new anthem it has be a good tune with a rousing melody, played firstly on the bagpipes, Scotland's national instrument."