AROUND 12,000 fans swarmed over Glasgow Green, the city park that was transformed into the spectacular free festival party for 11 days.

The sell-out Green closing ceremony festivities provided a chance to relive the memorable moments of Glasgow 2014, listen to the enticing instrumental pipes 'n' folk of The Treacherous Orchestra and view the pomp and passion of the Hampden closing ceremony on a big screen.

Hundreds of excited spectators from across the Commonwealth were queuing to get in 45 minutes before the doors opened. The queues was nearly a mile long stretching along Saltmarket and Greendyke Street and revellers waited for up to an hour to get through security.

At the bustling Merchant City Festival, amid the raft of tents serving everything from desirable art to real Scottish beef burgers, there were contemporary and traditional sounds emana-ting from the free Bruns-wick and Blackfriars stages.

Well, at least that was the plan, until the council ordered that live music at the Brunswick stage end at 2pm for health and safety reasons.

Among those twiddling thumbs rather than effects controls was critically acclaimed Glasgow electro band Machines In Heaven.

That rule did not apply, however, 400 yards away at the Blackfriars stage where classic rock was provided by The Sweet Vendettas and The Debris Rose among others.

For Scots saying their goodbyes, there was a feeling of sadness, but also of pride in how Glasgow has wowed a global audience with the 2014 Games.

"There is so much to remember, from Usain Bolt's entrance, to my favourite, wee Charlie Flynn's sheer Weegie joy and winning gold for Scotland," said Peter Kincaid, a 38-year-old sales executive who drove to the Glasgow Green festivities from Livingston with his children Karen, 6, and Molly, 4. "I think the feeling I get from speaking to folk is how proud everyone is that we did this so well.

"And can we have it again, please."

Bill Drummond, 29, from Ayr, who was enjoying the Merchant City Festival music said: "It is the people that have made this games so special. There has been a exuberant atmosphere at all the venues I have been at and that must rub off on the athletes. It is sad that it is now all over."

Shelley Powell, 38, from Auckland, New Zealand, agreed saying: "What has impressed me the most over the 11 days is just the whole electric atmosphere of the city."