Almost 80 taking in the Wimbledon drama on TV bit their nails at Giffnock Tennis Club just south of the city where Andy's brother Jamie once played in the first team.

Club president, Duncan Campbell, 53, said in the aftermath of the momentous match: "It's a massive sporting achievement to be in the final - for Scotland and Britain.

"You can hear the roar in there. Andy did extremely well getting the first set under his belt in a Grand Slam."

In the Western Health and Racquets Club, Hyndland in Glasgow's West End, around 20 members squeezed into the cafe serving Pimm's and specially-baked Murray muffins.

Head coach there, Ian Campbell, who had been at Murray's semi-final match in London, said: "It's the first time I felt that the crowd were with him, whereas before I would say the crowd were a bit mixed."

The 25-year-old lost 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in the final to Swiss national Roger Federer as a TV audience of almost 17 million were enthralled. The BBC said it was the highest figure for any final at the tournament for more than 20 years.

Murray was hoping to become the first British man to win the title since Fred Perry in 1936, but instead it was Federer who made history, equalling American Pete Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon titles.

In Murray's home town of Dunblane the champagne has been shelved for another year, the banners of support and colourful bunting carefully packed away.

The mood in the Perthshire town last night was one of disappointment but defiant pride as the town's most famous son saw his Wimbledon dream end in tears.

The day had started with buoyant optimism, Dunblane was bedecked with Saltire and Union flag bunting, with messages of good luck attached to lamp posts and a huge mosaic of the tennis star in the window of a gift shop in the High Street.

In Tesco, staff were dressed in tennis whites, the deputy manager reporting a rush on strawberries and cream.

Residents packed into pubs, bars and crowded living rooms. Many flocked to the Dunblane Centre, where staff struggled to find enough chairs.

At Dunblane Sports Centre, where Andy Murray played as a youngster, someone had baked a cake decorated with a Union flag of strawberries, blueberries and cream.

But sadly for the excited fans the final hurdle was too much for their local hero.

As Murray left Wimbledon to contemplate what could have been, the party continued for the victors.

Roger Federer paraded his Wimbledon trophy at the traditional Champions' Ball, where there was no sign of Murray.

However, there was at least one Brit there - men's doubles winner Jonny Marray.

While Murray headed for a quiet night back at his Surrey home with girlfriend Kim Sears, his conqueror Federer found himself back in the familiar position of celebrating being both champion of Wimbledon and top of the world rankings.

Ladies singles and doubles champion Serena Williams looked glamorous in gold as she arrived for the winners' ball at a London hotel.

Praise , however, has poured in for the Scot, despite his loss.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Andy played an outstanding match and did Scotland proud. For Andy there is not just next year, but as he said himself he is getting ever closer to that Grand Slam breakthrough."

And Andy's brother Jamie, wrote on Twitter: "My brother is a champion. He may not have won, but he is a champion."

Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, said "watching Murray final game's just heartbreaking".

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt wrote: "Gutted about the Wimbledon result – but an amazing achievement for @andy-murray to get so far. Truly brilliant tennis from both players."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "Andy Murray put up an incredibly brave fight. He should be proud of his performance and the country will be too."

Chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander wrote: "Andy Murray. He gave his all. Brave in the match. Generous in the defeat. He did us all so proud."

Many focused on the Scot's emotional post-match interview.

Television presenter Eamonn Holmes said: "As it turns out, with that speech Andy Murray today has won more than any Wimbledon title is worth. He has won the hearts of the country."

Broadcaster Piers Morgan wrote: "NEVER accuse Murray of being unemotional again. He gave it everything he's got. Proud of him."

Presenter Dan Lobb wrote: "Andy has character, personality, humour & humility. If u didn't see that in his speech just now, then u weren't watching or listening."

For some the emotion was clearly too much, with singer Mollie King of The Saturdays writing: "Oh my goodness, PLEASE tell me someone else cried during Murray's speech...."

Football pundit Gary Lineker took an optimistic view: "Another one bites the grass! Just think though, how much more exciting it will be when Murray wins next year?"