Commonwealth Games: Queen's Baton Relay in west of Scotland

The Queen's Baton will play a key role in the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games

The Queen's Baton will travel to every corner of Glasgow in last few days before the Commonwealth Games.

Organisers have said about 400 people, many of whom have been chosen because of the work they do in their communities, will carry the baton in Scotland's largest city.

The relay will take place in every council ward over a three-day period.

The baton, which has been the main curtain raiser for the games since 1958, arrives in Glasgow on 20 July.

Events will begin at the People's Palace in Glasgow Green before the relay moves on to the Gallery of Modern Art, the Royal Concert Hall, Buchanan Street, George Square, City Chambers, Glasgow Cathedral, Mitchell Library, Celtic Park, the Emirates Arena and communities in the north and east of the city.

The day will conclude with a celebration in Springburn Park.

The following day, the baton will visit the West End of the city and pass some Commonwealth Games' venues including the SECC and Hydro.

It will also be carried past the landmark Finnieston Crane, Yorkhill Hospital, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, University of Glasgow, the Botanic Gardens and Maryhill Burgh Halls before a closing event in Victoria Park.

On the third and final day of the relay in the city, the baton will travel to the south side and visit landmarks such as Hampden Stadium, Tramway, House for an Art Lover, the Citizens Theatre and the Burrell Collection, with an event in Queen's Park ending the day.

Organisers have arranged a series of cultural and sporting events to accompany the baton's stay in Glasgow including a celebration at the end of each day.

On 23 July, the baton will play a key role in the opening ceremony of the Games. The Queen will read out the message which is currently inside the baton. It was placed there by Her Majesty when the Queen's Baton Relay began last October at Buckingham Palace.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "The countdown is well and truly on for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and as the proud host city we can't wait to kick-start them in style when we welcome the Queen's Baton Relay on the 20th July.

"Glasgow is the friendly city and I've no doubt that our local heroes - the baton bearers - will receive fantastic support as they travel through the city's streets."

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg added: "The Queen's Baton has been passed by tens of thousands of citizens across the Commonwealth and the last leg of its journey through Scotland is a great opportunity for everyone to be part of the biggest sporting and cultural event in the country's history."

Baton in the west

People who live in the west of Scotland will not have to wait until the end of July to catch a glimpse of the baton.

The relay arrives in South Ayrshire on 20 June with a family event in Ayr's Low Green Park ending the day's proceedings.

The following day, the baton moves to East Ayrshire.

Highlights will include a series of community and sports events such as a rugby and football tournament in Cumnock. There will also be a Tam Dean Burn storytelling marathon, and Stewarton's gala day celebrations will be graced by the baton's presence.

The baton then moves on to Lanarkshire where - on Sunday, 22 June - the day begins at Lanark Loch with other events at Law Primary School, Calderglen Country Park and the Newberry Rooney centre in Hamilton, before a celebration at Hamilton Palace.

North Lanarkshire's turn comes on Monday, 23 June, where the baton is the focus of a series of sporting events along the route that aim to encourage people to take up more physical activity and get behind Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games.

Some Lanarkshire athletes who will be at the games include Motherwell boxers Charlie Flynn, Ross Henderson and Reece McFadden.

The baton continues its journey in the west of Scotland on 13 July in Argyll and Bute and Inverclyde on 14 July, where it will travel through Gourock and Greenock.

It then visits North Ayrshire on 15 July. The baton has a close connection with North Ayrshire, as its handle is made of elm wood which was sourced from the Isle of Cumbrae.

On 16 July, East Renfrewshire welcomes the relay. It is then carried through communities in Renfrewshire (17 July), West Dunbartonshire (18 July) and East Dunbartonshire (19 July) before it reaches Glasgow.