A SCOTS band have been given the go-ahead to release their own “rock” version of Flower of Scotland as an independence anthem after celebrating Nicola Sturgeon’s election victory.

The Ronains, from Clydebank, were given permission by the Corries and are hoping the SNP will select their track as an unofficial anthem.

Bass player Jim Ronain said they played the song in front of an 80,000 audience at Scotland’s biggest independence march in Edinburgh two years ago.

They then sang it again at the Scotland march in George Square, which was attended by 20,000 people.

“People came up and said it gave them goosebumps and we’ve had lots of messages from Hope Over Fear and All Under One Banner asking for us to release it as a single,” he said.

“We thought the timing was perfect.

“Scotland is doing so well in the field of sports as well as politics and it’s time for change.”

Hollywood star Tommy Flanagan, of Braveheart, Guardians of the Galaxy and Peaky Blinders fame, sent bass player Ronain, singer Debi, drummer Linzi and guitarist LP a message of support after they let him hear the single.

Flanagan, who also played an alcoholic with mental health issues in crime drama Sons of Anarchy, has followed the Clydebank band for the past year and championed their work.

He has been filming the new series of Peaky Blinders in Chicago, and sent his message after Ronain told him he was finding the music business difficult during lockdown.

“Life’s highs will be overshadowed by the sometimes overwhelming lows. But the clock keeps ticking,” said Flanagan.

“Time will reveal the why the who the wtf. If what you’re doing brings you love and joy end of, you win!

“Do not give up! Adjust and reset when required. ‘Hard work and heartache’ life of an artist. Enjoy the highs when they come.

“Few people want to see you succeed, no matter what they say.

“Beware of that s***e! You guys got tons of talent. Keep doing the work. You’re going to get to wherever ‘there’ is.”

Ronain said: “Tommy is one of my favourite actors and I’ve watched him in everything from Braveheart and Guardians of The Galaxy to Sons of Anarchy and Peaky Blinders.

“I’m a huge fan. It’s a deep message he sent us. I’d told Tommy that I was finding lockdown hard as a musician and he wrote this incredible letter of encouragement.”

The band have played their version of Flower of Scotland at live gigs on several occasions but decided to record and release it to reflect some recent landmark achievements in Scottish sport.

“We recorded a powerful rocky version of Flower of Scotland because we wanted to celebrate the success of the national football team and reaching the Europan Championships for the first time in 26 years,” added Ronain.

“The Scottish rugby team have done well and boxer Josh Taylor is fighting in Las Vegas for our country too.

“We are proud of our Scottish roots and this song means everything to us.”

Singer Debi added: “It’s quite terrifying taking on such a huge, iconic song, but if you don’t reach for the sky you’ll never be amongst the stars.”

The song is available for pre-order on Amazon and iTunes.

You can watch the band perform a version of the song live at Glasgow's King Tut's in 2018 here: