Queen’s Baton Relay route revealed

The route of the Queen’s Baton Relay which will precede the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will include a number of communities in Shetland, it was revealed today.

On 1st July, the baton will visit Sumburgh, Sandwick, Lerwick, Scalloway, Aith and Brae where school and community events will be held to celebrate the countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

SIC convener Malcolm Bell said: “I’m delighted that the Queens Baton Relay is coming to Shetland. The day will be a special one for those selected as Shetland’s baton bearers and one of celebration for the people of Shetland to support and enjoy.”

SIC executive manager of sport and leisure Neil Watt said: “I’m very pleased that the baton will visit a number of areas across Shetland. We are also developing plans to enable school children from the islands to attend one of the events.”

The Queen’s Baton Relay route in Scotland has been planned by Glasgow 2014 in partnership with Commonwealth Games Scotland and 32 local authorities. The relay is delivered in association with those authorities.

the baton will visit over 400 communities, offering people a chance to be a part of the excitement and celebrations heralding the games, Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival.

The relay will reflect the important role of sport by visiting schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres, encouraging communities to get behind Team Scotland, get involved with the games and using its profile to get more people participating in sport.

People nominated to become baton bearers will find out on 31st March whether their nominations have been successful.

When it arrives in Scotland on 14th June, the baton will have been on a 248-day global journey through all other 69 nations and territories of the Commonwealth. The games start on 23rd July, and the message the Queen placed in the baton will be read at the opening ceremony.