Commonwealth Games 2014: Nicola Benedetti, Pumeza and Scottie dogs star in the opening ceremony - pictures

Rod Stewart! Nessie! Tiny dogs! A giant kilt! The spectacular opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow starred a whole host of classical musicians and general weirdness.

1. 

   1. Nicola Benedetti

   Violinist Nicola Benedetti plays Loch Lomond as the flag of the Commonwealth is raised. Photo: Chris jackson/ Getty

2. 

   2. Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

   Comedian Karen Dunbar and Scottish-American actor John Barrowman emerge from a giant kilt on the roof of a jeep to kick off the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Photo: Richard Heathcote

3. 

   3. Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

   John Barrowman sings a tribute to the landmarks and history of Scotland at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow. Photo: Richard Heathcote

4. 

   4. Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

   The opening ceremony of the the Commonwealth Games includes a tour of Scottish landmarks and icons, such as the Loch Ness monster. Photo: Richard Heathcote

5. 

   5. John Barrowman's 'gay kiss'

   John Barrowman kisses a jilted groom surrounded by 'newlywed couples' during a section of the musical tour devoted to Gretna Green. Photo: Ian Walton/ Getty

7. 

   6. Tunnocks teacake Dancers

   Dancers dressed as Tunnocks teacakes perform at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

8. 

   7. Dancers running about

   Dancers run around during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Colin Mearns-Pool/ Getty

9. 

   8. Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

   Karen Dunbar, a host of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, takes to the jeep roof to sing about Scotland. Note the Irn Bru (made in Scotland with girders) propping up the model of the Forth Bridge. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

10. 

    9. Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

    John Barrowman sings from a model crane, representing Glasgow's industrial past, at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

11. 

    10. Susan Boyle

    The dancing teacakes and Gretna Green brides give way to more traditional entertainers as Susan Boyle sings Mull of Kintyre accompanied by pianist Kennedy Aitchison at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Photo: Quinn Rooney

13. 

    11. Rod Stewart

    Rod Stewart sings at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Photo: Ben Stansall

14. 

    12. Rod Stewart

    Rod Stewart performs at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Richard Heathcote

15. 

    13. Amy McDonald

    Singer-songwriter Amy McDonald performs during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Photo: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images

16. 

    14. Red Arrows

    The Red Arrows herald the arrival of the Queen at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Photo: Ben Stansall

17. 

    15. Red Arrows fly into the sunset

    Red Arrow fly over Celtic Park during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow. Photo: Ryan Pierse

19. 

    16. The Queen arrives at the Commonwealth Games

    The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at Celtic Park for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Francois Nei/ Getty

20. 

    17. The Queen

    The Queen and Prince Philip stand with Prince Imran, the Commonwealth Games Federation President, and Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Photo: Ben Stansall/ Getty

21. 

    18. The huge screen

    Dancers perform in front of the biggest screen in Europe during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Photo: Ian Walton/ Getty

22. 

    19. Scottish Ballet

    Sophie Martin and Christopher Harrison of the Scottish Ballet perform at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Jackson/ Getty

23. 

    20. Scottish Ballet

    Sophie Martin and Christopher Harrison of the Scottish Ballet perform at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Jackson/ Getty

25. 

    21. Scottish terrier dog

    A Scottish terrier dog leads the Indian team out during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Each country had its own terrier during the ceremony. Photo: Ben Stansall/ Getty

26. 

    22. Commonwealth Games spectators

    Spectators at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow Photo: Ben Stansall/ Getty

27. 

    23. Scottish team

    The team the spectators have been waiting for arrives in the stadium. Flag bearer Euan Burton leads the athletes of Scotland during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Photo: Richard Heathcote/ Getty

28. 

    24. Nicola Benedetti

    Violinist Nicola Benedetti performs Loch Lomond at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Quinn Rooney/ Getty

29. 

    25. Nicola Benedetti

    Violinist Nicola Benedetti performs Loch Lomond at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Paul Gilham/ Getty

31. 

    26. Nicola Benedetti

    Violinist Nicola Benedetti performs Loch Lomond at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Jackson

32. 

    27. Pumeza

    South African soprano Pumeza sings the Scots protest song Freedom Come All Ye at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo: Ian Walton/ Getty

33. 

    28. Pumeza

    Freedom Come All Ye sings the South African soprano Pumeza, at the opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park, Glasgow on 23 July 2014. Photo: Roger Sedres/Getty

34. 

    29. Pumeza

    Pumeza at the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park on 23 July 2014 in Glasgow. Photo: Paul Gilham/Getty

35. 

    30. Eric Whitacre's Virtual Youth Choir

    Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre leads the National Youth Choir of Scotland, accompanied by the Virtual Youth Choir, during the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The virtual choir, performing on the huge screen behind, was made up of over 2,000 children from 80 countries around the world. Picture: Getty

36. 

    31. Eric Whitacre's Virtual Youth Choir

    Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre leads the National Youth Choir of Scotland, accompanied by the Virtual Youth Choir, during the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty

37. 

    32. Eric Whitacre's Virtual Youth Choir

    Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre leads the National Youth Choir of Scotland, accompanied by the Virtual Youth Choir, during the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty

38. 

    33. Eric Whitacre's Virtual Youth Choir

    Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre leads the National Youth Choir of Scotland, accompanied by the Virtual Youth Choir, during the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty

39. 

    34. Conehead

    Dancers perform by a replica of the Duke of Wellington Statue with a traffic cone on its head, because... reasons. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty

40. 

    35. Fireworks

    No sporting opening ceremony is complete without a firework display. Here, several tonnes of gunpowder explode over Celtic Park to kick off the Commonwealth Games. Photo: Adrian Dennis/ Getty

41. 

    36. Fireworks at the Commonwealth Games

    Fireworks bring the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games to a close. Photo: Ryan Pierse/ Getty

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