THE Flower of Scotland bouzouki played by Corries star Roy Williamson is to be purchased for the nation thanks to an anonymous donor.
Williamson played the ornate instrument in the first televised performance of what was to become Scotland's unofficial national anthem.
It was auctioned off in a charity sale of his musical collection following his death 30 years ago and has been in the hands of the same private owner ever since.
Now it's to be purchased and put on display at Edinburgh University thanks to folk musician Steve Byrne.
The news comes one day after the Sunday National shared the news of Byrne's bid.
READ MORE: Crowdfunding bid to buy Corries star's Flower of Scotland bouzouki for public
Byrne, who plays bouzouki in Malinky, was inspired by The Corries as a young learner and first picked up the instrument at the age of 12 when his late father brought one home from Dens Road Market in Dundee.
He told the Sunday National that Williamson's bouzouki has a "wee bit of magic" about it.
Last week he launched a crowdfunder aimed at raising the £3000 necessary to make the buy and gift it to the institution, where it is to be be put on public display in its reknowned instruments collection.
The crowdfunding bid at almost a month longer to run — but will now be stopped early after a mystery benefactor made a £1750 donation. Together with some smaller sums gifted this afternoon, that's taken the pot past its four-figure target.
Byrne said: "The response has been so warm and supportive from many friends across the folk scene and I was confident from the first few days that we would each the target.
"However, to get such a large anonymous donation like that was stunning.
"It certainly brought a lump to my throat and reminded me of just how much esteem The Corries were held in.
"The comments on the campaign show the love that people still have for them, having grown up with their music, and what they did for Scottish musical culture.
"Personally it's a bit of an emotional day, having thought about this instrument on and off since I was 12 years old. I only wish my dad was here to see it. He started me on my 'bouzouki journey', and he'd be over the moon to see that this part of it has come full circle."
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