THE Scottish Government was last night under pressure to reveal details of its planned homecoming event to honour the country's Olympians as civic celebrations began across the rest of the UK.
SNP ministers have promised "appropriate celebrations" after the end of the Paralympic Games, which close on Sunday, September 9.
However, yesterday Holyrood's opposition parties urged them to name a date and give fans a chance to cheer stars including Britain's most decorated Olympian, Sir Chris Hoy.
Patricia Ferguson, Scottish Labour's sports spokeswoman, said: "The whole country is desperate to keep the Olympics party going and we want to ensure the Team GB medallists get a great reception when they come home to Scotland.
"The success of the 2012 Olympics is worth celebrating and I would urge the Scottish Government to ensure this historic event is given a fitting tribute.
"The medal haul for Team GB has taken even the most optimistic sports fan by surprise, but it would still seem odd the Scottish Government hasn't announced its plan to mark the occasion when celebrations in other parts of the UK are already in full swing."
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: "Towns and cities in the rest of the UK are rolling out the red carpet for their athletes, and so should we.
"We need to keep the party, and the momentum, going.
"Scots were such a central part of Team GB, it would be a shame for them not to enjoy a similar welcome as athletes in other areas have received.
"The SNP is blatantly bitter at Scottish athletes so clearly proud to compete under the Union Jack, and I hope this does not show through in a home-coming welcome conducted through gritted teeth."
The Scottish Government has confirmed an event will take place. A spokesman said: "These Olympics have seen Scottish athletes put in their best-ever performances, with a fantastic record that can only inspire our Paralympians as they prepare for the forthcoming Games.
"Plans for appropriate celebrations of our Scottish Olympians and Paralympians are under development and details will be announced in due course."
The UK Government is organising a victory parade for Team GB through the streets of London on September 10.
Medal winners are expected to be invited to a reception with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street.
In Wales, the devolved administration has earmarked September 14 as the date for an Olympic party in Cardiff.
Scots competitors – dubbed "Scolympians" by First Minister Alex Salmond – enjoyed a record medals haul at London 2012.
They were led by cyclist Hoy whose two victories took his lifetime tally of Olympic gold medals to six – more than any other Briton.
After the Beijing Games four years ago, the First Minister hosted a reception for Scottish athletes at Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Council staged an open-top bus parade for the Olympians to coincide with the event.
But yesterday Historic Scotland said it had not taken a booking for any Olympics event at the castle next month.
Councils throughout Scotland have indicated they are waiting to learn of the Government's plans before deciding whether to stage their own civic events.
A spokesman for Edinburgh City Council said: "Nothing has been decided. We need to see what plans are being made at national level."
Councillors are expected to confer the freedom of the city on Hoy – who was born and brought up in the capital – when they meet a week tomorrow.
They are also understood to be keen to lay on further celebrations for the cycle hero.
The council in Stirling – where Dunblane's gold medal-winner Andy Murray learned to play tennis – is considering an event. But separate civic celebrations in Glasgow are unlikely, a spokesman said.
The row over Scotland's homecoming party came as civic celebrations continued down south.
In Leeds 5000 fans gathered outside the Civic Hall to cheer competitors – including triathlete brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee – as they arrived for a reception on Monday night
Boxer Luke Campbell was honoured at an event at Hull City Hall last night, while in Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes was among athletes welcomed back to their hometown on an open-top bus ride yesterday.
Heptathlon winner Jessica Ennis has been promised a "champion's welcome" with a golden theme when she returns home to Sheffield.
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