Golden eagle a majestic symbol for Scotland

3.15.50pm GMT Fri 3rd Nov 2006

Scottish Liberal Democrat enterprise spokesperson, Jamie Stone MSP backed calls for the Golden Eagle to be officially adopted as the national bird of Scotland, saying they would be a "suitably majestic symbol for Scotland".

Speaking after the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise Committee had given support in principle to the public petition on the subject, the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MSP said:

"Golden Eagles are renowned for their magnificent appearance and combining power with agility in flight, something common in many of our national heroes, from Robert the Bruce to Kenny Dalglish!"

"When I'm travelling through my Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency, I can see these fantastic birds high above the landscape and many visitors to Scotland would love to share that experience.

"The Committee rightly decided to check with the Court of the Lord Lyon on the practicalities of this proposal.

"Australia has its emu, France has its rooster, and New Zealand its kiwi. All these birds are famous symbols for their countries. The Golden Eagle would be a suitably majestic symbol for Scotland."