A Cappella Anthem at Murrayfield Originated from a Mistake

Scottish Rugby has revealed that the popular a cappella rendition of “Flower of Scotland,” sung during international matches at Murrayfield Stadium, began with an unexpected mistake. This revelation comes in conjunction with the centenary celebration of the iconic venue in Edinburgh. The tradition, now embraced worldwide, originated from a mix-up during a sound check before a 2008 Six Nations match between Scotland and France.

Julie Beels, who was then a freelance entertainment producer at the stadium, recounted the incident, noting that a misunderstanding between event organizers and musicians led to the pipe band halting mid-way through the anthem. “It’s funny to look back on now, but at the time I thought I’d lose my job,” Beels, now 39, said. She explained that during the sound check, the pipe band inquired whether to play one or two verses of the anthem. She responded, “Once is fine – it’s only the sound checks,” assuming they would perform both verses during the actual game.

Moments later, as the pipers stopped after the first verse, Beels felt a wave of panic. “There I was, in front of 67,000 people, thinking, ‘That’s it. I’m done’.” Remarkably, the crowd began to sing the second verse unaccompanied, creating an electrifying atmosphere that gave her “goosebumps.”

From that day, the a cappella version gained a unique following. Beels reflected, “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’.”

Although Scotland lost the match 27-6 to Les Bleus, the unforgettable atmosphere created by the crowd’s singing became a defining moment. Initially reserved for major games with sell-out crowds, the a cappella version has now become a regular feature at the stadium, influencing other sports teams and even football crowds.

The phenomenon has taken on a life of its own, with videos of the Murrayfield anthem going viral and accumulating millions of views on platforms such as YouTube. This spontaneous celebration of national pride has also been replicated in sports events worldwide, including Major League Baseball and the Kentucky Derby.

Former Scotland points-scorer Chris Paterson, who played in that memorable match, described the moment as “special.” He recalled feeling confused when the pipers stopped, but as the crowd continued singing, the connection between players and fans intensified. “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,” he noted.

To commemorate the centenary of Murrayfield Stadium, Scottish Rugby is inviting supporters to share their experiences and memories associated with the venue. Celebrations will take place during this year’s Quilter Nations Series, where Scotland will face the USA, New Zealand, Argentina, and Tonga on consecutive weekends. The matchup against the All Blacks on November 8, 2023 is being highlighted as the centenary test.

Mark Laidlaw, Scottish Rugby’s director of stadium development and operations, emphasized the significance of Murrayfield as a backdrop for numerous iconic moments over the last century. “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,” Laidlaw stated.

As celebrations for the centenary unfold, the story of the a cappella anthem stands as a testament to the spirit of Scottish rugby and the unexpected joy that can arise from a simple mistake.