Today (Saturday 11 July) is day 11 of the 23 day King’s Baton Relay which is making its way around Scotland and will end its journey at the Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games on 23 July.
The theme of the Scottish leg is ‘gather’ and that’s exactly what the people have done across the country creating special moments and memories for young and old.
After launching down the River Clyde on day one, it’s been to beaches, basketball, bowls and boxing; stopped by castles, the Kelpies and Kinross.
Golfers have posed with it at tee-time; gymnasts have held it through twists and turns; community clubs have dribbled and kicked around it.
As the baton moves around the country it will continue to excite and engage everyone who gets the chance to see it and touch it- getting them closer to the Games and growing the anticipation for the main event which is just 12 days away.
Look out for the Baton on the second half of the Relay as it heads north to Orkney; stops by Inverness and Aviemore; heads across to Lewis and Hebcelt; joins in the fun at Fiji versus Scotland at Murrayfield; and inspires more Team Scotland athletes at their final training camps.
It will also join more beach cleans and litter picks as the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaigns nears the all important millionth piece of plastic since the Relay began.
Catchup on the daily highlights here: King’s Baton Relay Day by Day
The first of a series of plastic clean-ups across Scotland began today at Longniddry Beach in East Lothian on day 3 of the King’s Baton Relay in Scotland.
Planned as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics campaign, in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, the bid to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways and oceans enters its final weeks and everyone involved is determined to reach the target set.
Leading the clean-up today alongside Commonwealth Games Scotland Vice Chairperson Susan Jackson was the Scottish Coastal Clean Up (SCCU) team – a volunteer-led cleaning organisation. This group started as a group of friends with a like-minded cause and has since grown into a charity of its own with boats and a quad bike to help access remote parts of Scotland.
Kerrie Flockhart, SCCU Project Lead said: “It is fantastic to be part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign. Our volunteers do an incredible job to help protect Scotland’s coastline, giving their time and energy to tackle marine litter and care for their local environment. We hope this work not only raises awareness of the problem but also highlights the need for greater support and funding for the community groups and coastal communities working tirelessly to address it.”
Some of the ocean plastic collected at Longniddry today will be used to manufacture Lucky Swallows. These decorative wall features are created by Ally Mitchell in Collaboration with Scotlands Home of the Year TV Presenter and interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones. There will be an installation of Lucky Swallows at Team Scotland House during the Commonwealth Games. Ally of Ocean Kitchen Scotland is also supporting Glasgow 2026 on a creative campaign that will be unveiled on 16 July, just one week before the city welcomes the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.
Glasgow 2026 aims to deliver a modern, environmentally responsible model for major events – one that protects the planet by reducing emissions, cutting waste and using resources wisely.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Martin Reynolds: “The Clean Oceans Plastics campaign, in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, has been an integral part of the King’s Baton Relay. We have seen communities come together to protect their local coastlines, rivers and streams all across the Commonwealth. As the King’s Baton Relay reaches its final leg in Scotland, it is great to see that we have all played our part in sustainability and we are excited to see communities in Scotland come together to protect our environment.”
And it’s not just communities getting behind the Games. Inspired by the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, a new collaboration between Glasgow hospitality businesses and Ocean Kitchen Scotland will bring together sustainability, creativity and a warm Glasgow welcome in an altogether unexpected way. This will be led by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce’s Circular Glasgow programme, alongside Sustainable Glasgow, Glasgow City Council’s Sustainability team and Glasgow 2026.
Ally Mitchell, Founder of Ocean Kitchen Scotland said: “I am very proud to be part of today’s beach clean and have the King’s Baton here to shine a light on the work of these great organisations. Through our work with Scottish Coastal Clean Up, we are helping to tackle pollution in some of Scotland’s most affected coastal areas while raising awareness of the wider environmental challenges posed by plastic waste. It’s rewarding to be part of a movement that is making a real difference to our coastline and marine ecosystems.”
Chris Ansell, Director of Live Programmes and Engagement at Glasgow 2026 said: “We’re delivering a greener Games that treads lighter on the planet and The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign is a great example of how we’re bringing that ambition to life.
“The clean-ups have brought communities together to make a positive impact in their local area. And for the next few weeks, we’re keeping that energy going. This is about more than the Games, it’s about what comes next and keeping these movements, conversations and initiatives going long after the final medal.”
As the baton moves around the country there will be more beach and river clean-ups including at Glasgow Green on 21 July with Keep Scotland Beautiful and Coca-Cola where we hope to be able to celebrate the collection of 1 million pieces of plastic across the Commonwealth since the King’s Baton Relay began.
Tomorrow, 4 July, the King’s Baton Relay pays a visit to the Linda Brennan U25s Ladies Pairs Bowls Competition, the Kelpies, Loch Lomond and the Luss Highland Games.
Scotland’s most decorated athlete, Duncan Scott OBE, was met by Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, as the swimmer kicked off Scotland’s King’s Baton Relay today, just 23 days before the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games begin.
Arriving against the backdrop of one of Scotland’s most iconic skylines, Duncan made his way up the Clyde in a Glasgow Airport Fire & Rescue speedboat, proudly carrying the Baton. He was met on the quayside by Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, as they transported the Baton to its first stop at Team Scotland’s training camp at Glasgow’s SEC.
Duncan Scott said: “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be the first to carry the King’s Baton as it makes its way through Scotland. This relay is about bringing communities together to share in the build-up to a home Commonwealth Games, and that’s an incredibly special thing to be part of. I can’t wait to see the reaction as the Baton makes its way around the country. I hope it inspires people to get involved and feel that excitement building ahead of what’s going to be an unforgettable Games.”
The King’s Baton Relay has been going for exactly 479 days having launched at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, March 10, 2025.
First Minister John Swinney said: “The King’s Baton Relay will showcase the very best of Scotland to the world – from our breathtaking islands and stunning landscapes to bustling towns and cities.
“Glasgow 2026 is our opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s reputation as a great place to live, work, study, do business and visit – in front of a global audience of hundreds of millions.
“We are supporting free events across Scotland to bring communities together and give people an opportunity to get active and improve their wellbeing. I encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate what makes Scotland special.”
From now until the 23 July the Baton will attend over 50 events and festivals to celebrate Team Scotland, Scottish sport, the Commonwealth, Scottish culture and the Games. This year, the King’s Baton Relay has been reimagined, popping up at key events across Scotland every day, rather than continuously travelling through the streets.
Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “Today is a major milestone on the road to Glasgow 2026 as the King’s Baton begins its journey through Scotland. It was fantastic to see our most decorated athlete, Duncan Scott, bringing it ashore today and bringing it into our Team Camp.
“The King’s Baton Relay gives us the chance to bring the Games to communities across the country, and we can’t wait to see the reaction it receives, and the excitement it creates over the coming weeks.”
The Baton will also appear at a number of smaller community events. A series of plastic clean-ups are also planned as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics campaign, in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, in a bid to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways and oceans.
Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Sport said: “For 479 days, the King’s Baton Relay has brought celebration, community and inspiration to 73 nations and territories across the Commonwealth. It has been a privilege to watch this journey unfold and as the Baton makes its way to Scotland for the home stretch of the relay, we are excited for the next 23 days as the final countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games begins.”
Each of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories received their own blank Baton to decorate, customise and reflect their unique culture.
The Scottish Baton has been designed by Glasgow-based artist Annie Graham who has carved a stunning image of scenic Scotland into the wooden Baton. It carries the word ‘gather’, a symbol of community, connection and celebration.
Gavin Birch-Williams, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport who provided the fire and rescue boat said: “Glasgow Airport is proud to support the arrival of the King’s Baton to Team Scotland’s Team Camp today, marking another milestone on the road to Glasgow 2026.
“During Games time we will play a crucial role in welcoming delegations from across the Commonwealth, and moments like this highlight the importance of that connection.”
After making some stops in and around Glasgow today including Glasgow Children’s Hospital, the Baton visits Dumfries House tomorrow and heads to East Lothian on Friday.
The Scottish Government has announced £245,000 of funding to support the King’s Baton Relay (KBR) in Scotland ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The funding, awarded to Commonwealth Games Scotland, will support at least 22 community events during the host nation leg from 1 to 23 July 2026, with the relay travelling to cities, rural areas and island communities. It will culminate in the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
Communities and sports clubs are encouraged to express their interest in hosting a visit, with the application process open until the end of March 2026.
There is also an open call for designers to apply for the commission for the decoration of Scotland’s Baton – Decorate the Baton – which closes tomorrow 12 March.
Sport Minister Maree Todd visited GalGael, a social enterprise based in Govan, Glasgow, whose craftspeople hand-made the batons for the relay using ash from Pollok Park.
She said:
“Visiting GalGael and seeing the craftsmanship that has gone into creating the batons is a wonderful reminder of what makes this relay so special. I’m pleased that Scottish Government funding will help bring the King’s Baton Relay to communities right across Scotland this summer.
“Whether a sports club, a community group, or simply want to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026, I’d encourage everyone to get involved. These free community events are a real opportunity to get active, connect with others, and improve wellbeing right across Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what makes Scotland unique on a truly global stage, and I want as many people as possible to be part of it.”
Gayle McPherson, Director of Legacy and Community Engagement at Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“The King’s Baton Relay is a special part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026 and will connect communities across Scotland with the excitement of a home Games. The baton itself carries the message of a sustainable Games, made from reclaimed ash from a Glasgow park by the traditional craftspeople at GalGael in Govan.
“The Scottish Government’s support will help bring the relay to towns, cities and island communities right across the country to ensure everyone is part of the celebrations and provide fans with the opportunity to show their support for Team Scotland as our athletes make their final preparations for Glasgow 2026.”
The KBR activation in Scotland will deliver free public events, creating opportunities for communities and sports clubs the length and breadth of the country to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026.
The Scottish Government is also providing £15 million of funding for sporting organisations to offer free, accessible and inclusive physical activity opportunities to capitalise on a “spectacular summer of sport”.
Team Scotland is preparing to welcome the King’s Baton Relay ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and you can be part of the celebrations!
From Wednesday 1st July through to the Opening Ceremony on Thursday 23rd July, the Baton will travel across the country, visiting communities, events, and festivals to celebrate Team Scotland, sport, the Commonwealth, Scottish culture and the Games.
This year, the Relay has been reimagined to make it easier for communities to get involved. Rather than travelling continuously through streets, the Baton will use a hub-and-spoke model, bringing it to selected events across Scotland every day.
How to Host the Baton at Your Event
If you run a festival, sports activity, community gathering or other creative event, you can register your interest to host the Baton with us via Glasgow 2026’s All In programme: CLICK HERE for the registration form.
When you register, simply tick the box to share your event with Team Scotland. The KBR delivery team will review submissions and confirm which events will host the Baton by 30th April.
What the Baton Visit Looks Like
At selected events, the Baton can:
- Be brought in by local Batonbearers or community heroes
- Be displayed for attendees to hold, take photos and celebrate
- Include content creation support, with imagery from the event available for your use
- Feature current or former athletes, or a visit from Finnie, the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Official Mascot, depending on availability
Themes and Ideas
We’re looking for creative and inclusive events that reflect the themes of sport and the Commonwealth. Events can be large or small, urban or rural. The more imaginative, the better!
We’re also incorporating activities that support the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, such as plastic and litter collections around Scottish waterways. Organisations that organise these activities are especially welcome.
Take Part in the Relay
This is your chance to bring the excitement of Glasgow 2026 to your community. Whether it’s a local sports event, a festival, a clean-up initiative, or another creative gathering, the Baton is coming to connect communities and celebrate Scottish and Commonwealth culture. Register your event and get involved today: CLICK HERE for the registration form.
Decorate Scotland’s Baton
There are 74 Batons, one for each nation and territory in the Games. Each country will decorate their Baton to represent their nation and these will be united in Glasgow when the Kings welcome message to open the Games is read out to the world.
The Scotland Baton carries the word ‘gather’, a symbol of community, connection and celebration. Handmade in Glasgow by skilled makers from Galgæl and master craftsman Tim Norman, it’s a blank canvas waiting for Scotland’s creativity. Communities, artists, and schools are invited to apply to decorate and customise the Baton, leaving their mark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony. Find out more about the open call for artists here: https://www.teamscotland.scot/kbr-scotland/kbr-decoration/
Don’t miss your chance to be part of history!
