2 days ago
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The Murrayfield mix-up that sparked one of sport's most iconic stadium trends
The a cappella singing of Flower of Scotland, now a global sporting tradition, began by accident at Murrayfield 16 years ago
The sound of more than 65,000 fans belting out Flower of Scotland without a single note of musical accompaniment has become one of the most spine-tingling traditions in world sport. Yet few realise that the iconic a cappella second verse, now copied at major sporting events from Major League Baseball to the Kentucky Derby, began by accident at Murrayfield 16 years ago.
Scottish Rugby has revealed the remarkable story as part of its new Murrayfield Memories campaign, launched to celebrate the stadium's centenary year. The initiative invites supporters from across Scotland and around the world to share their most memorable moments at the national stadium, whether from rugby, football, concerts or once-in-a-lifetime events.
The anthem tradition dates back to a 2008 Six Nations clash with France, when a misunderstanding between matchday staff and pipers threatened to derail proceedings. Instead, it created a piece of sporting history.
Julie Beels, now events lead at Scottish Rugby, was a 21-year-old freelance producer at the time. Tasked with co-ordinating rehearsals, flag bearers and live calls on the day, she recalls the panic when the music stopped after just one verse.
She said: 'It's funny to look back on now, but at the time I thought I'd lose my job. We'd only played both verses before, and at the sound check the pipe band asked if we wanted it once or twice and I said, 'Once is fine, it's only the sound checks'. I thought they knew we'd play both verses for real ahead of the match.
'Minutes later, the pipers stopped playing after the first verse of the anthem and my heart just sank. There I was, in front of 67,000 people, thinking, 'That's it. I'm done.
'But the crowd just kept singing, louder and louder, completely unaccompanied. It gave me goosebumps. From there, it grew a special following. Scotland has never had an anthem singer because at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, the crowd is the singer. It reached a new level that day.'
She added: 'It could, and probably should, have been the worst moment of my career, but instead it's the highlight. It's amazing the way it's now done around the world, but I can't help but think 'hey, that's our thing!''
The anthem alone could not inspire Scotland to victory that afternoon, Jason White's side fell 27-6 to France, but the atmosphere it created left a lasting legacy. At first, the a cappella second verse was saved for sell-out matches.
Over time, it became a permanent fixture, spreading beyond rugby into football and overseas sporting arenas. Clips of Murrayfield crowds singing unaccompanied have since amassed millions of views on YouTube.
Chris Paterson, Scotland's record points-scorer, was among the substitutes that day and remembers the impact on the players.
He said: 'The game was pretty forgettable, but the memory of the anthem that day is still vivid. I can remember initially thinking it must be a mistake and being a bit confused but as we sang through the second verse the noise rose and the connection with those in the stadium grew. I then assumed it must have been deliberate! Whether you're a player, coach, fan, or watching at home, it's special.
"It's an amazing part of what it means to be part of Scottish rugby. It always makes me smile when I see and hear it done at other events and venues across the world.'
The launch of Murrayfield Memories will see stories collected into an online archive, with selected submissions included in the official Centenary Programme later this year.
Contributions from Scottish greats and international stars such as Mathieu Bastareaud, Bryan Habana and Quade Cooper will feature alongside fan accounts, reflecting the stadium's global resonance.
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The centenary will be marked during the Quilter Nations Series this November, when Scotland host the USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga. The clash with the All Blacks on 8 November will serve as the official Centenary Test.
Mark Laidlaw, Scottish Rugby's Director of Stadium Development and Operations, said: 'Scottish Gas Murrayfield has been the backdrop to so many iconic moments, from Calcutta Cup triumphs and Grand Slam glory to unforgettable gigs by Oasis, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Taylor Swift and more. It's a place where families, friends and even whole countries come together to create memories that last a lifetime.
'We want to hear from the millions of people who've helped make the stadium what it is over the past 100 years, whether it's a historic win or the concert you waited 30 years to see.
These memories are worth keeping for the next generation and we will be capturing and promoting them this year to continue our Centenary celebrations.'
