Ten years on from Indyref: What was happening in Scotland in 2014?

It’s been a decade since Scots went to the polls to decide the country’s constitutional future.

In many ways it doesn’t feel that long ago but a lot has happened over those ten years.

Seismic news events such as Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, the cost of living crisis and the return of war in mainland Europe with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have affected all our lives.

Technology has advanced rapidly, our lexicon is shaped by the forces of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, while music and fashion trends have evolved.

Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ was the song of the summer.

But what else was happening in Scotland back in 2014? STV News takes a look back at the political, sporting and cultural events that formed the backdrop to IndyRef.

Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow

Karen Dunbar and John Barrowman were among the celebrities who took part in an elaborate opening ceremony for the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow.

Dancing teacakes and Scottie dogs also had a starring role as the city welcomed thousands of athletes from across the Commonwealth.

Scotland narrowly lose to world champions Germany in Dortmund

As was becoming common by now, Scotland missed out on a spot at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which was won by Germany.

Just months later, Gordon Strachan’s side faced the daunting prospect of facing the new world champions in their own backyard. Ikechi Anya scored a memorable goal at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park but the brave Scots went down narrowly 2-1 in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.

Kelpies open near Falkirk

The Kelpies, Scotland’s largest art installation, opened to the public in April 2014.

Millions of people have since visited the 300 tonne, 98ft (30m) horse head sculptures, which were created by Glasgow artist Andy Scott and sit in Helix Park, Falkirk, near the M9.

MTV Europe Music Awards come to Scotland

Scotland hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards for a second time when the glitzy show arrived in Glasgow in November 2014.

Hosted by Nicki Minaj, the event at the Hydro saw performances by Ariana Grande, Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran. In the run-up to the show, Glasgow’s City Chambers were lit up by singer Labrinth to promote his new video.

St Johnstone win Scottish Cup

St Johnstone lifted the Scottish Cup after defeating Dundee United 2-0 at Celtic Park.

Goals from Steven Anderson and Steven MacLean saw the silverware heading back to Perth, where an open top bus celebration took place.

Last T in the Park festival at Balado

Calvin Harris headlined the main stage on the second day of the T in the Park music festival.

It was the last time the event took place at Balado Airfield in Perth and Kinross, having been held there since 1997. The event moved to Strathallan Castle for two years before disappearing from the Scottish arts calendar forever.

Scottish healthcare worker Pauline Cafferkey infected with Ebola virus

Healthcare worker Pauline Cafferkey is infected with the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone.

She receives an unnamed experimental anti-viral drug and blood plasma from Ebola survivors as part of her treatment.

Medical personnel wheeled a quarantine tent trolley containing Cafferkey into a Hercules Transport plane at Glasgow International Airport on December 30, 2014, bound for The Royal Free Hospital in London.

Still Game draws huge crowds to live shows

Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill brought their sitcom Still Game to the big stage in 2014.

A live version of the popular comedy, which follows the antics of pensioners Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade in the fictional Craiglang area of Glasgow, sold out the Hydro for 21 nights and entertained more than 210,000 fans.