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
Image source, Getty ImagesWhisky, 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.
Image source, Nicola AdamsEnglish boxer Nicola Adams posts on Instagram:, external "Boxing team #selfie we're ready for the opening ceremony.
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?"
Image source, Getty ImagesThat 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.
Image source, Melanie SchlangerAustralian swimmer Melanie Schlanger posts on Instagram:, external "The Aussies are congregating ready for the opening ceremony. #Glasgow2014 #villagelife #behindthescenes."
Image source, Getty ImagesLordy.
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.
Ian Thorpe
Five-time Olympic gold medallist & BBC swimming analyst on BBC One:
Image 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."
Aimee Lewis
BBC Sport at the opening ceremony in Glasgow
Image 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."
We can't all be there, but don't let that stop you getting involved.
Join the social media hug on 81111 on text, #bbcglasgow2014, external on Twitter, BBC Sport on Facebook , externaland Google+., external
"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.
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"
Image source, @weREnglandEngland'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.
Image source, Louise HastonAn alternative team photo from Scotland's cyclists on Twitter . . .
Image source, Getty ImagesLegendary 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.
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."
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."
Liz McColgan
Former Commonwealth champion on BBC One:
Image 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."
Image source, Saurav GhosalIndian 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!"
Gabby Logan
BBC Sport presenter & ex-Wales CWG gymnast
Image 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.
BBC Radio 5 live
Image source, AFPFormer 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."