Summary

  • The Queen declares the 20th Games open after a colourful ceremony

  • 4,500 athletes from 71 nations/territories paraded into the stadium

  • Huge roar greeted Scotland's team into Celtic Park stadium

  • Sporting action begins at 08:45 BST on Thursday

  1. Postpublished at 21:14 BST 23 July 2014

    Dancers performImage source, Getty Images

    Whisky, golf, Dolly the Sheep, marmalade, fountain pens and the Kelvin Scale.

    Scotland's landmark inventions spin past in a blur of interpretive dance and gurning.

    Next up is singer Amy McDonald to bring the frenetic pace down a notch or two.

  2. Postpublished at 21:13 BST 23 July 2014

    Sir Matthew Pinsent
    Four-time Olympic rowing champion and BBC Sport reporter

    "Get in. Highland dancing, Nessie and bagpipes all in big opener. Wheel out Hoy to cut ribbon and Proclaimers to play us out. In bed by ten?"

  3. Postpublished at 21:09 BST 23 July 2014

    Dancers perform with a Loch Ness MonsterImage source, Getty Images

    That is the American tourist dollar locked down for another decade or so.

    John Barrowman launches into a musical tribute to Scotland's money-spinning monster.

    "Nessie!

    "I believe in you though they say you were an elephant swimming.

    "I know you are a Plesiosaur living in Scotland."

    Of course you do John.

  4. Postpublished at 21:09 BST 23 July 2014

    The Australian Commonwealth Games' teamImage source, Melanie Schlanger

    Australian swimmer Melanie Schlanger posts on Instagram:, external "The Aussies are congregating ready for the opening ceremony. #Glasgow2014 #villagelife #behindthescenes."

  5. Postpublished at 21:06 BST 23 July 2014

    Singers Karen Dunbar and John Barrowman performImage source, Getty Images

    Lordy.

    What a start!

    Karen Dunbar appears in the crowd and marches down to stadium centre telling the crowd and the world that "we're a land of inventors and poets and dreamers, we're enlightened, creative and fun."

    To prove it John Barrowman appears from beneath a giant kilt aboard a tartan jeep decorated with some highland cow horns.

  6. Postpublished at 21:05 BST 23 July 2014

    Ian Thorpe
    Five-time Olympic gold medallist & BBC swimming analyst on BBC One:

    Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe with his medal haul from the 2002 Commonwealth GamesImage source, Getty Images

    "I think part of this is the cultural impact that sport has had in Australia. Now as we come into this Commonwealth Games a lot of funding is tied to it, which means we have a strong team here and will win a lot of medals. We expect to be on the top of the leaderboard. We expect to win a lot in the pool but we may get hit on the track this time around."

  7. Postpublished at 21:02 BST 23 July 2014

    Aimee Lewis
    BBC Sport at the opening ceremony in Glasgow

    The view from inside Celtic Park stadiumImage source, Getty Images

    "I don't want to spoil any surprises, but Scotland's finest exports are well represented tonight. There's giant shortbread, Tunnock tea cakes which are so big they seem to have been genetically modified. And I've not yet mentioned the Irn-bru bridge. No sign of the Loch Ness monster though. Nessie is so temperamental, you never know when she's going to make an appearance."

  8. Postpublished at 20:59 BST 23 July 2014

    "Is this on? Can you hear at the back?"

    The tannoy is buzzing into life at Celtic Park and those carefully-laid plans are about to be put the test.

  9. Postpublished at 20:57 BST 23 July 2014

    Team England judoka Gemma Gibbons, external - the wife of Scottish athlete Euan Burton - tweets: "So excited to be heading off with @weRengland for the opening ceremony & to see my husband enter the stadium as Scottish flag bearer #proud"

  10. Oldest and youngestpublished at 20:56 BST 23 July 2014

    England's Doreen Flanders and Vicky VincentImage source, @weREngland

    England's oldest and youngest competitors have been having a chin wag. Visually impaired lawn bowler Doreen Flanders, 79, and 13-year-old diver Victoria Vincent.

  11. Postpublished at 20:56 BST 23 July 2014

    Team Scotland cyclistsImage source, Louise Haston

    An alternative team photo from Scotland's cyclists on Twitter . . .

  12. Postpublished at 20:55 BST 23 July 2014

    When stars were born at the Commonwealth GamesImage source, Getty Images

    Legendary decathlete Daley Thompson was a 20-year-old ball of energy, enthusiasm and excellence at the 1978 Edmonton games.

    The Games are often the birthplace of future stars... as this video demonstrates.

  13. Postpublished at 20:55 BST 23 July 2014

    Australian hockey player Georgia Nanscawen tweets:, external "Totally devo when @_JaydeTaylor said we were going to miss the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at the ceremony. Turns out it was the Chilli PIPERS."

  14. Postpublished at 20:53 BST 23 July 2014

    Aimee Lewis
    BBC Sport at the opening ceremony in Glasgow

    "Get ready you're going to be on telly," says comedian Des Clarke. He's working the crowd like an old-fashioned compere, getting thousands of spectators to practise saying Brunei Darussalam. This is variety gold - he just needs to start tap dancing and Her Maj will book him in for the Royal Variety performance (she does her own bookings these days. Pudsey the dog was one variety act too far, so I'm told.) Brunei Darussalam, by the way, has just the one athlete competing in Glasgow."

  15. Postpublished at 20:50 BST 23 July 2014

    Liz McColgan
    Former Commonwealth champion on BBC One:

    Liz McColgan wins Commonwealth gold in Edinburgh in 1986Image source, Getty Images

    "I think it is a Glasgow reborn. Scottish people are passionate and it has shown in our athletes that we are different now. The investment means we are trying to win now, not just compete and be a competitor. We all want Glasgow to go ahead and be successful and we now have the infrastructure for children to go on and improve."

  16. Postpublished at 20:50 BST 23 July 2014

    Indian squash teamImage source, Saurav Ghosal

    Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal tweets:, external "And it begins... :) the Indian squash team all dressed up for the opening ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games!"

  17. Postpublished at 20:50 BST 23 July 2014

    Gabby Logan
    BBC Sport presenter & ex-Wales CWG gymnast

    Gabby LoganImage source, Gabby Logan

    "I also kept this which if you rub it quickly actually sets on fire."

    Gabby represented Wales in the rhythmic gymnastics competition at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

    I think I remember Gareth Edwards sporting one of those through most of the 1970s.

  18. Postpublished at 20:47 BST 23 July 2014

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Former Commonwealth and Olympic champion Alan Wells:Image source, AFP

    Former Commonwealth and Olympic champion Allan Wells: "To run for Scotland at this level is privilege. I would love to be here as an athlete but unfortunately I can't wind the clock back.

    "You could understand any Scottish athlete in this atmosphere might be fearful, but I think they will be lifted and they will be made to feel as if everyone is behind and that can help them get over the line."