Dozens of communities throughout Courier country will be able to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay this summer in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.
Sporting highlights on the route include visits to Knockhill racing circuit in Fife, Team Scotland’s training camp at Stirling University and a stop at St Andrew’s Old Course.
The baton will also take part in a ceilidh in Dundee during its 40-day, 5,000-mile tour across the country, taking in more than 400 cities, towns and villages along the way during the countdown to the biggest sporting and cultural event ever staged in Scotland.
The names of the people chosen from the thousands nominated to carry the baton for a short stint on its journey will be announced on March 31.
When it arrives in Scotland on June 14 the baton will have been on a 248-day epic journey through all the other 69 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
Within it there is a message from the Queen which will be read at the opening ceremony of the games in Glasgow on July 23.
David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, said: “The relay is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people across Scotland to celebrate what’s extraordinary and unique about their communities and honour those locals who make a difference to others.
“The baton is visiting hundreds of villages, towns and cities, with thousands taking part in the relay and many more attending the vast programme of sports and cultural events along the route.”
Shona Robison, minister for the Commonwealth Games and sport, added: “Whilst it will be an exciting and dramatic countdown to the games, I also expect it to celebrate the range of legacy activity already happening across our communities and the local heroes within them who will carry the baton.”
The relay will visit schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres, encouraging people to get involved with the games and participate in sport.
It will also show off some of Scotland’s iconic sights, such as the Forth Bridge, Loch Ness, the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Orkney’s Skara Brae.
Dundee will be one of the host cities for the games, with competitors, officials and spectators staying there during the shooting competitions being held at the Army’s Barry Buddon training area, just over the Angus boundary.
The relay will visit all eight of its council wards and the city centre, where the athletes’ village will be set up.
Lord Provost Bob Duncan has already flown the Commonwealth flag at City Chambers.
He said: “I think this is a great way to raise awareness of the part the city will play in this huge event. I’m looking forward to adding a Dundee dimension to the Commonwealth Games.”
Angus Games steering group chairwoman Jeanette Gaul added: “Everyone loves the Queen’s Baton Relay and like a lot of people, I have been following the baton as it makes its way across the Commonwealth.
“The party will be getting started in Angus with the arrival of the baton on June 28 and I know there will be a warm welcome from residents and to the local heroes who will carry the baton.”
June 24
Denny, Larbert, Stenhousemuir and Bainsford, Falkirk, Bo’ness, Blackness and Grangemouth.
June 25
Kennet, Clackmannan, Alloa, Sauchie, Fishcross, Coalsnaughton, Muckhart, Dollar, Tillicoultry, Alva, Menstrie and Tullibody.
June 26
Knockhill, Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Falkland, Freuchie, Cupar, Leven, Anstruther and St Andrews.
June 27
Dundee, including: Strathmartine, Lochee, West End, Coldside, Maryfield, North East, East End, the Ferry and city centre.
June 28
Monifieth, Carnoustie, East Haven, Arbroath, Forfar, Glamis, Kirriemuir, Northmuir, Brechin and Montrose.
July 4
Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Birnam, Dunkeld, Blairgowrie, Rattray, Old Scone and Perth.
July 5
Perth, Methven, Crieff, Muthill and Auchterarder.
July 5
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.
July 6
Stirling, Thornhill, Aberfoyle, Drymen, Killearn, Balfron, Kippen and Bannockburn.
July 7
Doune, Callander, Crianlarich and Tyndrum.
Find out more at www.glasgow2014.com/queens-baton-relay.