The Orchestra, Chorus, soloist Jane Irwin and a lively Usher Hall audience performed the five leading contenders on 10 June 2006 and the recordings are online now to listen to for free.

The results of the vote will be announced by actor Gerard Kelly at the Last Night of the RSNO ScottishPower Proms on Saturday 1 July 2006, at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. A limited number of Scottish Proms tickets - standing room only - are still available, priced at GBP8, for the concert - so grab a saltire and come join the patriotic celebrations! To book, call 0141 353 8000 or book online at www.rsno.org.uk. Book accommodation via www.visitscotland.com.

The five Scottish National Anthem contenders are:

1. Highland Cathedral - The choice of Madonna, Rory Bremner and Jack McConnell;
2. Flower of Scotland - The Corries' classic, as sung at Scotland's international Rugby Union and Football matches;
3. Scots wha hae - The patriotic words of Robert the Bruce, as imagined by Robert Burns, set to an old Scots tune that classical composer Bruch used in his Scottish Fantasy;
4. A man's a man for 'a that - Another Burns lyric, as sung by Sheena Wellington at the re-opening of the Scottish Parliament after 300 years - the Scotsman described it as "a moment to open the muscles of the heart";
5. Scotland the Brave - The famous old piping tune, with words added by Cliff Hanley in the 1950s. Scotland the Brave is used as Scotland's anthem at the Commonwealth Games.

Remember, the only way to make your vote count is to visit www.rsno.org.uk before 1 July 2006 - and then join in the singing at the Last Night of the RSNO ScottishPower Proms! Please quote "Scots In London.com".

Image: Courtesy of The Royal Scottish National Orchestra 

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