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Saturday, 21st November 2009

Runrig's Loch Lomond 'Scotland's greatest song'

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Published Date: 30 November 2008
RUNRIG'S version of Loch Lomond has been voted Scotland's greatest song, it was revealed today.
The charity ScotsCare, which helps Scots in London, carried out a poll to find the nation's most loved track.

And it chose St Andrew's Day to announce that Runrig's version of Loch Lomond had taken the top spot.

It was the choice of 40% of thos
e who voted, narrowly beating Big Country's Fields of Fire – which secured 37% of the votes – into second place.

Dougie MacLean's song Caledonia was third, the Deacon Blue track Dignity came in fourth, while the the Proclaimers song I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) was fifth.

Runrig said they were honoured to win and added: "Loch Lomond is a deserving winner and a song we love to perform. What a great way for us to mark St Andrew's Day."

Singer Lulu presented the band with an award for topping the poll and said: "Runrig are a fantastic Scottish band, I'm delighted that Scots are voting for and appreciating them."

Lulu added: "Loch Lomond is definitely one of those songs that very quickly reminds you of home. Perhaps we now have the answer to Scotland's national anthem."

ScotsCare chief executive Willie Docherty said: "It's very fitting that a song featuring one of Scotland's greatest landmark's has won our vote.

"I'm also glad the winner was from such a great Scottish band. Given its popularity, Loch Lomond has our backing for Scotland's official national anthem."



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  • Last Updated: 30 November 2008 11:44 AM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: Scotland's national anthem
 
1

Breizh Hibee,

Edinburgh 30/11/2008 12:28:06
I don't mind the song, but who voted in this poll?
2

EnglishHighlander,

30/11/2008 12:34:15
If it was just Scots in London, then I hardly think it qualifies. Probably not the case 'though.

Fields of Fire would have been an excellent choice, as would any of Big Country's songs! One of my most favourite bands ever.
3

Maisie from Morningside,

30/11/2008 12:39:55
Runrig is to music as dog vomit is to cordon bleu cuisine.
4

Breizh Hibee,

Edinburgh 30/11/2008 13:58:09
#3 I disagree. Runrig have written some pretty decent stuff over the years (though I wouldn't say I'm a fan), however I'd think that they themselves will be a bit embarrassed by this 'award'.
5

Queen D,

Glasgow 30/11/2008 14:32:02
Maisie, that was a little too graphic for my taste.
I shall never see cordon bleu in the same way ever again , more cordon bluech!
6

,

30/11/2008 16:04:51
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
7

,

30/11/2008 18:42:51
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
8

Susan-D,

Glasgow 30/11/2008 19:12:35
What rot! Everyone knows that the greatest Scottish single of all time is "Party Fears Two", as voted for at Jock'n'Roll last year.
9

radge dug,

Alba gu brath 30/11/2008 20:02:28
Runrig has done some good stuff over the years. Their early stuff escpecially is quite 'radical' lyrically. Remember, in the 70s when they started Gaelic speaking kids who had no English were still getting punished for speaking their family and community tongue.

Loch Lomond is a popular song and the roots of it are anything but 'romantic'. The 'ho-ro mo leannan' bit at the end fits well too.

They actually wrote lots of new modern Gaelic music unlike many of today's pretty young Gaelic musicians who only parrot the words of dead poets.

Fields of Fire might have got my vote though.
10

very proud dumfriesshire lass,

Livingston 30/11/2008 20:49:39
Runrig have a long history and are well known around Europe, and the rest of the world.

Almost as famous as the Haggis. Talking of such, What's happened to the Haggis Hunt this year? I was waiting for it to begin today :(
11

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 30/11/2008 22:14:25
Runrig died the same day that Donnie Monroe was reported as supporting Labour.

Loch Lomond is a weegie song and eff all to do with the whole of Scotland.
12

Dr. James Wilkie,

Vienna 30/11/2008 22:50:23
#12 He's in good company. Lulu was constitutional adviser to the No side during the 1979 referendum campaign and her activities played quite a part in reducing the Yes vote, as did those of the Alexander Brothers.


13

Sanny,

30/11/2008 23:22:23
I've just listened to Runrig' s version of Loch Lomond. This is quite the worst rendition of the song I've ever heard. The don't even seem to know all the words. Very very dissapointed.
14

Newly,

Muirhouse 30/11/2008 23:29:21
I'm a Runrig Fan for about 15 years now - and I am only 28!!! Although I have to say I liked them a LOT more with Donnie Munro on vocals! That arrogant, nose-high-in-the-air Canadian Bruce Guthro is just not at all convincing when singing those typical "old" Runrig songs an especially not Loch Lomond! For him it's just a job to sing and perform on stage - not a feeling. And you can see that.. Shame...

Fields of Fire would have been my choice too - can you believe it's 7 years on the 16th since Stuart took his life? I'm still grieving..
15

Bearwithme,

01/12/2008 00:54:41
A pretty dispiriting collection of songs/versions. Not even the best work by those artists or writers. From Burns there is "My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose", perhaps the most beautiful of all Scots songs. From The Proclaimers, "Sunshine On Leith" and "Letter From America" are better. From Runrig, rather than a plodding version of "Loch Lomond" I'd prefer "Cearcall A' Chuain" (though in the recording by Catherine Anne MacPhee!). From Stuart Adamson's work, the Skids' "The Saints Are Coming" is a classic. And if you you want something blue, The Blue Nile are far superior to Deacon Blue! But that hardly scratches the surface. So much to choose from and we (who exactly?) come up with such a dull collection.
16

StudentFaeGlesga,

Stepps 01/12/2008 08:45:11
Well done Runrig! Excellent choice. Got to disagree with "Newly" above though...Runrig are 10 times the band they are now with Bruce Guthro and Brian Hurren on vocals. I was a fan in the Donnie-era but Bruce has taken them to a whole new level. Last year saw them have a Number 1 album in Denmark, their first UK Top 10 hit single and this year the Year of the Flood DVD hit Number One in the UK. The real star of the band is Malcolm Jones (Guitar/Pipes/Accordion). What a musician.

A well deserved award.
17

Dancer,

Edinburgh 01/12/2008 12:05:55
#9 Susan D
Spot On.
18

Hairdrier,

01/12/2008 18:11:07
Have to agree with 16. There are many more deserving songs - that are not even in the top 3. Runrig? Who?
19

Jaybee2806,

01/12/2008 19:07:08
Some very harsh criticisms here! Runrig have done a great deal for Gaelic and for Scotland, and it's all from the heart, unlike present z-list celebrities whose only interest is in themselves. Loch Lomond is a great song, well deserved award. I hope they are not embaressed, but proud. As for the negative tosh written about Bruce, while I liked Donnie's voice and what he did with the band, I could not stand the pretentious twaddle he used to come out with.
20

Renata,

Musselburgh 02/12/2008 10:32:28
Never mind "Loch Lomond" - for me, "A Man's a Man for A' that" deserves to be Scotland's National Anthem.
But if it has to be Loch Lomond, please bring back Donnie Munro!
21

Deek,

07/12/2008 00:19:00
Runrig a rank rotten. Always have been always will be. As for the gaelic stuff, who cares?

 

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