The opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last night was a unique blend of bagpipes, banter and bravado, as the city welcomed more than 4,500 athletes from 71 nations.

An estimated 1 billion people watched the opening ceremony of the Games, which featured more than 1,300 volunteer cast members, ranging from eight to 85 years old and representing every local authority in Scotland.

Comedians Karen Dunbar and Billy Connolly featured while singer John Barrowman had a starring role in a show which took viewers on a whistle stop tour of Scotland.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, chair of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, said: "This was the moment we had been waiting for since the bid was accepted in 2007.

"The opening ceremony promised many things – including showing Glasgow as a generous host – and I think we can say that we did just that. There were so many touches that just said 'we are Glasgow and we are proud to welcome you in' – from the voices of 71 of my fellow Glaswegians announcing the arrival of the athletes, to the moment where we witnessed community groups performing side by side with international talent.

"Glasgow promised to put on a show and put on a show we did, setting the scene for the next 11 days of competition and the best Games ever."

The games will run for 11 days - until the 3 August - and will feature 17 sports.