It was a day of iconic visits for the Olympic torch on Wednesday as the flame made its way from St Andrews to Edinburgh on day 26 of the relay the second of a two-day trip through Fife and Perthshire.
To start the day, the Olympic torch was carried on the West Sands beach at St Andrews in an emotive recreation of a scene from the Oscar-winning movie Chariots of Fire, which was filmed on the beach more than 30 years ago.
Then, after visiting the world famous Old Course, where tribute was paid to the fact that golf will be an Olympic sport from 2016, it then helped St Andrews University celebrate its 600th anniversary where Perthshire-born round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont had the honour of carrying the torch from St Salvator’s Quadrangle into the historic town centre.
After leaving St Andrews, the torch made its way to Kinross and Milnathort where 19-year old multiple sclerosis sufferer David Anderson, of Alyth, took up the flame with his own show of character and strength.
From there the torch took in Crook of Devon, Alloa, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane before spending the second half of the morning in Stirling where poignant visits were made to Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument.
The entourage then travelled on to Cumbernauld, Larbert, Camelon and the Falkirk Wheel before returning to Fife via Cairneyhill and Crossford.
In Dunfermline, pupils from local schools took part in an Olympic-themed flashmob event at the Kingsgate centre before the flame travelled across the Forth Road Bridge and took in the picturesque surroundings of Hopetoun House.
The final destination of the day was Edinburgh Castle, where the Olympic flame was carried by Lesley Forrest, who received a kidney transplant in 1996 and a year later started competing in the British Transplant Games. She has since won multiple medals in both British and World Transplant Games and been made an MBE.
The last of the 115 torchbearers, Ms Forrest lit a celebration cauldron on stage at Edinburgh Castle at the evening’s celebratory event, which included performances by Scottish singer Emeli Sande.For full coverage, see Thursday’s Courier