Swimming star Erraid touches down in Shetland

Record-breaking swimming star Erraid Davies touched down in Shetland this morning – after becoming the youngest ever Team Scotland medal winner in the Commonwealth Games.

The 13-year-old lass from Skeld was proudly sporting her bronze medal from the SB9 100 metre breaststroke as she posed for photos at the Brae pool this afternoon.

It was there that the Delting Dolphins swimmer had put in the hours of hard graft to get in among the medal places and earn a place on the podium.

Erraid said it was nice to be home, having picked up another medal in Sheffield last week.

“I just want to get back to normal,” said Davies who starts back at school again in a matter of days.

Asked if school would be different when she returns, she said: “I don’t think so, I should be about the same.”

Erraid’s parents  said it was good to be back in Shetland and nice to have their daughter home. The young swimming sensation’s sisters Morven and Vhairi said they didn’t travel to Glasgow but were cheering on their sister at home, watching her final swim on the TV.

Asked if Erraid was okay with all the media coverage that has followed her success, her mother Joyce said: “She seems to just take it in her stride. It’s not really fazed her at all, she seems quite comfortable today.”

Father David also hailed the achievements of Shetland swimmer Andrea Strachan and table tennis player Lynda Flaws – both who put in strong performances flying the flag for Shetland.

Erraid’s coach Lorraine Gifford said Erraid had had a “really grounded week” in Sheffield at a national youth swimming gala following the games. There the promising teenager picked up a silver medal in a multi-classification 100m breaststroke.

Newspaper cuttings of Erraid’s success are pinned on the notice board next to the pool and Gifford said everyone was really proud of Erraid’s achievement. She added they were looking forward to the world championships next year and she said Erraid will also be competing in able-bodied events too.

Gifford is looking to Rio in 2016 and what events Erraid can compete in, as well as planning for the next Commonwealth Games in 2018.

The swimming coach added that she feels Erraid is better at other strokes, than the breaststroke which won her a Commonwealth medal, and is strong in the long distance freestyle.

But the talented youngster is having a short break from training after all her hard work.

Erraid said she might take her medal into school but had not yet chosen where it will take pride of place at home.

“I haven’t decided, I might put it up in my room or keep it downstairs in the living room. I’m not sure,” she said.