Multi-million selling Glasgow singer songwriter Amy Macdonald has become the latest cultural icon to receive a prestigious Tennent’s Golden Can - and thanked Tennent’s for giving her the inspiration to pick up a guitar as a teenage girl.

As a gift from the brand on her 32nd birthday, chart-topper Amy joins fellow Scots rockers Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand and Biffy Clyro in being hailed by Scotland’s favourite beer as Scots who have raised the bar both at home and beyond.

The “This Is The Life” singer says Tennent’s place at the heart of Scotland’s iconic live music scene compelled her to pick up a guitar when she was still a schoolgirl.

A visit to T In the Park in 2000 to see fellow Glasgow rockers Travis headline the Balado main stage played a pivotal part in her life.

Amy, who has sold more than 6million albums, including two UK number ones, said: “It’s a real honour to be given a Golden Can, and join such a brilliant line up of fellow recipients.

“The big red T has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. One of my most formative musical experiences was seeing Travis headline T In The Park.

"I learned to play the guitar off the back of that.

"T In The Park was a rite of passage, and even though I was involved as a singer, T has been an important part of my life.”

The Golden Can will take pride of place alongside just two of the many awards Amy has from her glittering career.

She said: “I give a lot of my awards to my mum and dad, and I have a room for some of them at home. But there are a couple which I keep on display - my German Echo Award, and also the Barrowland Ballroom Hall of Fame Award. The Golden Can is going along with them.

“I feel honoured to be given any award, but I think the Tennent’s can will have pride of place. When I saw Martin Compston got one last year, I admit I was jealous, so I was thrilled when Tennent’s got in touch to say they wanted to give me one.”

But she warned: “One of my best friends is a massive Tennent’s fan.

"Even on nights when everyone else is ordering cocktails, she’s still after a pint of Tennent’s. When I told her about the Golden Can, she said, ‘Forget all the album sales, all the tours, all the gigs, this is it, you’ve made it'. She was unbelievably excited.

"So, I think I’ll need to keep my eye on the Golden Can, she’ll be trying to steal it off me.”

Alan McGarrie, group brand director for Tennent’s Lager, said: “Amy is a classic example of how Tennent’s has played a key part in shaping the cultural landscape on Scotland. Inspired by our association with live music as a teenager, she has gone on to become one of Scotland’s most successful musical exports.

“She’s a great addition to the Tennent’s Golden Can Hall of Fame - a real international Scottish cultural success story."