GLASGOW: The Loch Ness Monster, tartan-clad bagpipers and giant pieces of shortbread took the place of footballers on the Celtic Park pitch as the Commonwealth Games began with a celebration of Scottish mythology and exports on Wednesday.

Glasgow welcomed a large part of the world and remembered recent tragedies as a diverse and colourful opening ceremony signalled the start of the 20th edition of the games for former British colonies.

As the sun set on the hottest day of the year in Scotland’s biggest city, a vibrant display of tartan-clad dancers, pipe bands and kilted entertainers kicked off 11 days of sporting endeavour.

Famed singers Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle, along with over 3,000 volunteers, helped provide the entertainment for a packed stadium as they welcomed the 6,500 athletes from 71 mostly former British colonies.

SINGER Rod Stewart performs with his band.—AFP

The opening ceremony drew to a close after two hours when the Queen’s Baton Relay entered the stadium at the end of its 190,000-km journey around the Commonwealth.

“The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions,” said Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, the head of the Commonwealth.

“And now, that baton has arrived here in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements, for the warmth of its people, for this opening ceremony of the friendly games.”

The Queen called on those present to “unite” in difficult times as a minute’s silence was held for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight disaster.

Eighty-two of the 298 people who died last week when the plane came down over eastern Ukraine were from Commonwealth nations.

The Malaysian team also entered the stadium with their flag at half-mast and wore black armbands.

“To you, the Commonwealth athletes, I send my good wishes for success in your endeavours. Your accomplishments over the coming days will encourage us all to strengthen the bonds that unite us,” said the Queen.

DANCERS show skills during the opening ceremony.—Reuters

“You remind us that young people, those under 25 years of age, make up half of our Commonwealth citizens; and it is to you that we entrust our values and our future.

“I offer my sincere thanks to the many organisations and volunteers who have worked diligently to bring these Games to fruition, and indeed to the spectators here in the stadium and to the millions watching on television.

“Together, you all play a part in strengthening our friendships in this modern and vibrant association of nations.

“It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open.”

The games were officially opened by the Queen after cycling great Chris Hoy, Britain’s most decorated Olympian, handed over the baton which has travelled throughout the Commonwealth since starting a relay at Buckingham Palace last year.

GLASGOW: Bangladesh’s flag-bearer Iqbal Islam leads his contingent.—AFP

The 88-year-old monarch showed her lighter side when Hoy and Prince Tunku Imran, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, struggled to retrieve the message from the baton she left in it. When the note was finally recovered, the queen flashed a smile and held her arms out aloft before revealing its contents.

Celtic Park, more usually decked out in green and white of one of the city’s two major football clubs, was awash with the sights, sounds and colours of the Commonwealth as the athletes entered the arena.

India, home to more than half of the people in the Commonwealth, led the parade of nations and each contingent was guided around the stadium by their own Scottish terrier dog.

GLASGOW: Malaysia’s Norbaini Hashim (L) vies with Jane Claxton of Australia during the women’s field hockey match on Thursday. Australia won 4-0.—AFP

Images of great athletes from competing nations such as Scotland’s six-time Olympic champion cyclist Hoy and Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar flashed up on a 100-metre wide screen — the largest in Europe — urging spectators to make donations to the charity Unicef.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond also welcomed the team athletes and officials to what he described as “Scotland’s scene for 11 days of sport and culture”.

“Welcome to the Commonwealth of nations, welcome to Scotland,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 25th , 2014