VIDEO: Queen's Baton Relay visits the Kelpies

Pupils from two Falkirk primary schools gave the Queen's Commonwealth Games Baton a noisy welcome at the Kelpies.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Aug 2017, 16:17 BST
Updated 12th Sep 2017, 11:50 BST
Athletes Jennifer and Seonaid McIntosh, Team Scotland mascot Clyde and the baton bearers from St Francis Xavier's and Victoria primary schools. Picture: Michael GillenAthletes Jennifer and Seonaid McIntosh, Team Scotland mascot Clyde and the baton bearers from St Francis Xavier's and Victoria primary schools. Picture: Michael Gillen
Athletes Jennifer and Seonaid McIntosh, Team Scotland mascot Clyde and the baton bearers from St Francis Xavier's and Victoria primary schools. Picture: Michael Gillen

The baton relay hit Falkirk today (Thursday) at the iconic landmark and hundreds of children from St Francis Xavier’s RC and Victoria primary schools were there to cheer it on its way to the Gold Coast in Ausatralia for the 2018 Games.

Each school had six baton bearers who helped the McIntosh sisters – Jennifer and Seonaid, Scotland’s European champions in small bore rifle shooting – carry it round the sculptures to give everyone a glimpse and have pictures taken with it.

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Despite the heavy rain, all the pupils remained enthusiastic and had a ball, doing their schools proud.

Athletes Jennifer and Seonaid McIntosh, Team Scotland mascot Clyde and the baton bearers from St Francis Xavier's and Victoria primary schools. Picture: Michael GillenAthletes Jennifer and Seonaid McIntosh, Team Scotland mascot Clyde and the baton bearers from St Francis Xavier's and Victoria primary schools. Picture: Michael Gillen
Athletes Jennifer and Seonaid McIntosh, Team Scotland mascot Clyde and the baton bearers from St Francis Xavier's and Victoria primary schools. Picture: Michael Gillen

The baton bearers were: St Francis Xavier’s - Kai Skinner, Rachel Campbell (P5), Anika Zub, Kelvin Paxton (P6), Louisa Kane, Cayden Campbell (P7). Victoria - Kaiden Taylor, Kian Zandbergen (P5), Ava Malarkey, Luke Graham (P6), Adam McAleer, Sophie Sutherland (P7).

During the visit, Jennifer, who is Team Scotland’s most decorated female athlete of all time, spoke to a sports fan who met her at the Rio Olympics last year and gave her a Caramel Log as a “taste of home” 5000 miles away.

Jennifer said: “It is such an honour to carry the baton through Falkirk. The welcome here was absolutely fantastic from all the kids.

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“Despite the weather is been a great experience. We’re looking forward to Gold Coast 2018 and hope Team Scotland do really well.”

The Queen’s Baton carries a message from the Queen which calls the Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in peaceful and friendly competition.

The baton will be at the Scottish Athletics Senior Championships at Grangemouth Stadium on Saturday, a ranking event for Team Scotland selection for the 2018 Games.

The baton for each Games is designed by the host nation and the 2018 Queen’s Baton has a distinctive loop design and has been made using macadamia wood and reclaimed plastic, sourced from Gold Coast waterways and inspired by the region’s vibrant spirit and indigenous heritage.

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Paul Finnie, sport and recreation manager at Falkirk Commmunity Trust said “We’re delighted to welcome the Queen’s Baton relay to our facilities, namely Grangemouth Stadium and The Helix. “We are so very proud of the athletes and future Olypmpians who are training and developing in the Falkirk area and look forward to cheering on Team Scotland in 2018.”

Related topics:FalkirkQueen