After a global journey lasting 248 days the Queen’s Baton Relay has reached Scotland.
Over the next few weeks the royal message, which has travelled through 70 nations and territories, will tour the nation before it is opened and read aloud as part of the opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games on July 23.
Glasgow 2014 organisers have selected 4,000 baton-bearers to run, jog or walk through 400 communities, as the nation prepares for its biggest sporting and cultural event.Follow the baton’s progress at www.glasgow2014.comThe relay will take in all 32 local authority areas and will spend 10 days in Courier Country villages, towns and cities, including those in Angus, Dundee, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Falkirk.
Intended to reflect the role that sport plays in all our communities, the baton will stop at schools, sporting venues and leisure centres with events and activities supported by the Sportscotland Active Schools Network.
From festivals and sports days, to decorating the high street plans are in place to mark the baton’s arrival in an array of creative ways.Falkirk, Tuesday June 24Denny, 8am Larbert, 8.44am Carron/Bainsford, 9.56am Camelon, 10.11am Falkirk Wheel, 11.54am Falkirk, 12.22pm Bo’ness, 2.27pm Blackness, 3.31pm Grangemouth, 4.22pm Evening celebration:The Helix, Falkirk, 6pmClackmannanshire, Wednesday June 25Kennet, 8.50am Alloa, 9.35 am Sauchie, 11.30am Fishcross, 12.15 pm Muckhart, 12.45pm Dollar, 12.55pm,with an hour stop atDollar Academy, 2-3pm Tillicoultry, 3.20pm Alva, 4.05pm Menstrie, 5.25pm Tullibody, 6.10 pm Evening celebration:Lornshill Academy, Alloa, 6.45pmFife,Thursday June 26Knockhill, 7.30am Dunfermline, 8.04am Inverkeithing, 9.15am Dalgety Bay, 9.30am Aberdour, 10.40am Burntisland, 11.30am Kinghorn, 11.40am Kirkcaldy, 12.10pm Glenrothes, 12.45pm Falkland, 2.10pm Freuchie, 3.10pm Cupar, 3.30pm Leven, 4.30pm Pittenweem, 4.50pm Anstruther, 5.10pm St Andrews, 6.15pm Evening celebration:West Sands, St Andrews,6.15pmDundee,Friday June 27Strathmartine, tbc Lochee, tbc West End, tbc Coldside, tbc Maryfield, tbc North East, tbc East End, tbc The Ferry, tbc Dundee City Centre, tbc Evening celebration:Caird Hall/City Square6.45pmAngus,Saturday June 28:Monifieth, 8.21am Carnoustie, 9.11am Easthaven, 11.18am Arbroath, 11.26am Forfar, 1.14pm Glamis, 2.46pm Kirriemuir, 3.56pm Brechin, 5.46pm Montrose, 6.24pm Evening celebration:Montrose Leisure Centre,6.45pmPerth & Kinross,Friday July 4Blair Atholl, 1pm Pitlochry, 1.44pm Birnam/Dunkeld, 2.48pm Blairgowrie/Rattra,y 3.19pm Old Scone, 4.57pm Perth, 6.10pm Evening celebration:North Inch Park, 6.45pm
Saturday July 5 Perth, (McDiarmid) 8.05am Methven, 8.38am Crieff, 9.11am Muthill, 10.08am Auchterarder, 11.19amStirling,Saturday July 5Dunblane, tbc Bridge of Allan, tbc
Sunday July 6 Thornhill, tbc Aberfoyle, tbc Drymen, tbc Village Killearn, tbc Balfron, tbc Kippen, tbc Bannockburn, tbc Evening celebration:The Peak, Stirling Sports Village, 6.45pm
Monday July 7 Doune, tbc Callander, tbc Crianlarich, tbc Tyndrum, tbc