Mr Don Lawson and the Tartan Army have called on one of Scotland's most famous bands, Runrig, and Big Eck's boys to help them with their quest for chart glory.

It's all for a good cause, too. Proceeds from 'Loch Lomond' (The Hampden Remix) will help swell the coffers of BBC's Children in Need, which takes place next Friday.

And a rousing rendition of the Tartan Army anthem could provide the extra lift Barry Ferguson and his troops could need in their must-win home game against Italy the following day.

The Scots have to beat the current World Cup holders if they are to guarantee their place at next June's European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

"I hope that Alex McLeish and the lads will do the business and we'll be joining them in the Alps next summer for Euro 2008," said Mr Lawson.

"No disrespect to Aviemore, but I don't want to be thinking about making arrangements for the Tartan Army's second convention in the village."

The first gathering, attended by hundreds of the army's foot soldiers was held in the summer of 2006 after the Scotland team failed to make the World Cup finals in Germany.

The bar owner hit on the 'Loch Lomond' stunt with fellow Scotland footy fans, ex-Aviemore man Bob Shields and Ian McCaig, boss of Ayrshire-based marketing firm The Edge.

Mr Lawson, who runs http://www.tartanarmy.com – the record's producers – with his long-time friend, Bob, said: "It all came about over a beer in a Glasgow bar after the Lithuania match a short while back.

"We were discussing the atmosphere that day – we had won again 3-1 – and were wondering how you could bottle it, and that got the ball rolling.

"The backing vocals of the Hampden Park faithful were recorded by BBC Scotland before the kick-off and at half-time of the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Ukraine last month, with the full backing of the Scottish FA.

The Scotland team also belted out 'Loch Lomond' at their headquarters at Cameron House, which overlooks the very same stretch of water, in the lead-up to the match.

Their efforts have been remixed onto the final version of the track, which is being released on Monday (November 12).

Quizzed which players hit the right – and the wrong – notes at the team's recording session, a diplomatic Mr Lawson responded: "That's a secret."

He is hopeful that the Tartan Army could have a top ten hit on their hands – and even perhaps a number one.

"Having spoken to a lot of the Hampden guys and girls, I know that they are going to buy the single. After all, not many people can boast about having a hit single!" joked Mr Lawson.

"There is a big chance, according to the industry analysts we have been in touch with."

Runrig said that they were delighted to get involved when approached. "It is fantastic to mobilise the Tartan Army for Children in Need in Scotland," said drummer Iain Bayne.

Steve Cullen, the band's business manager, summed it all up: "To be involved in a project mixing the Tartan Army and Children in Need was one that needed no discussion. It had to be done, despite the obvious logistical nightmare of achieving this during our UK album launch tour."

Mr Ian McCaig, managing director of The Edge, has been astonished by the levels of support shown so far.

"We have been working with the Tartan Army on a number of design and website projects over the past couple of years, and we are rarely surprised by the reaction, but this is simply superb," he said.

"The BBC, SFA, The Daily Record and of course Runrig have all taken the idea to their hearts, and built on it with us. It should be an interesting few weeks."

Faces from the Badenoch and Strathspey branch will be among the 300 members of the Tartan Army, along with Runrig and special guests, who will be performing 'Loch Lomond' on the BBC's Children in Need on November 16 at the BBC studios in Glasgow, just after 8.30pm.

BBC Radio 2's Terry Wogan; BBC Scotland's Fred MacAulay, who used to work as an accountant at the Cairngorm Chairlift Company; and Breakfast TV are also being approached to give the record all-important airtime.

* 'LOCH Lomond' (The Hampden Remix), performed by Runrig with the Tartan Army, will be available from record stores including HMV and Virgin from next Monday.

Major supermarkets Tesco, Asda and Morrisons will also be selling the CD single priced at £3.99, with £1 going towards BBC Children in Need to help fund projects for disadvantaged children in Scotland.

The track will also be available as a download from a number of online sources, including iTunes, for around £1.25.

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