Salmond salutes Scotland's world success

The event recognised Scottish sporting success internationally. So far this year, more than 80 medals and championship honours have been won in international competition.

In 2010, Scotland has excelled in sports such as boxing, curling, cycling, equestrianism, gymnastics, judo, rowing, shooting, swimming, tennis and weightlifting.

Team Scotland from the Delhi Commonwealth Games were out in force for the reception, and they were joined by members of the championship-winning men's senior World Indoor Tug of War team. Also represented were the first amateur Scottish ladies golf team to win the Home International since 1991 - Megan Briggs, Louise Kenney, Kelsey MacDonald, Laura Murray, Martine Pow, Pamela Pretswell, Jane Turner, Rachael Watton, and captain Lesley Nicholson

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Our athletes have done exceptionally well on the international stage this year and, thanks to their hard work and dedication, Scotland has made an impressive impact in the world of sport.

"As a fan of golf, I was delighted to see Colin Montgomerie lead the European team to a historic victory in winning the Ryder Cup and in the ladies' amateur game, Scotland won both the European Senior Ladies Team Championship and the Home International matches.

"We also did well in winter sports, Ben Kilner gained the bronze at the Snowboarding World Cup half-pipe in Calgary and Eve Muirhead skipped the Scotland team to the silver medal at the World Curling Championships.

"Joanne Eccles became the very first world vaulting champion from the UK, performing handstands on horseback at the World Equestrian Games. And I am pleased to see that Scotland is now Indoor Tug of War World Champions in two categories.

"In Delhi I was privileged to witness a host of outstanding performances at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where Team Scotland won 26 medals - a remarkable achievement, exceeding the target for the Games.

"Shooters Kay Copland and Jennifer McIntosh had an outstanding Games, with Jennifer eclipsing her mother's Games record by winning three medals. It was wonderful to see Callum Johnson's boxing victory and a personal honour to present David Millar with his gold medal for winning the cycling time trial.

"These achievements and the performances of all of our athletes means we can look forward to an outstanding Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2014. Our athletes are marvellous ambassadors for Scotland, and we should be very proud of them."