Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games begin in style

A giant haggis, cabers, golf clubs, 41 Scottish terriers, Rod Stewart, Billy Connolly, the Queen, lashings of self-deprecation and even a gay kiss – Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games begin in style

• Products, like Irn Bru, and locales synonymous with Scotland features in tonight’s ceremony at Celtic Park
• Singers John Barrowman, Amy MacDonald and Rod Stewart all lent their talent to tonight’s lavish proceedings
• Queen, as head of Commonwealth, attended ceremony with the Duke of Edinburgh to formally open games
• Ceremony was big test of Glasgow’s ambition to host the greatest Commonwealth Games of all time

Glasgow has welcomed the world with an exuberant and proud opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games at the city’s Celtic Park.

Actor John Barrowman led the evening’s entertainment, as he paraded around the arena singing the praises of Scotland’s contributions to the planet – not least Tunnocks Tea Cakes and Irn Bru.

Dressed in a purple suit, Barrowman made his entrance from beneath a giant kilt and kissed a veil-wearing male ‘bride’ at a mock Gretna Green wedding.

Then, as dozens of dancers jigged around him, the flamboyant star took an estimated one billion viewers on a journey celebrating the Loch Ness monster, heather, and the nation’s inventions, such as the TV and the steam engine.

There was also singing on top of whisky barrels and St Andrews was celebrated as the home of golf.