Around 250 Glasgow schoolchildren kicked off the first Schools’ Baton Relay as part of the city’s Commonwealth Games celebrations.
The event will unite 330 nurseries and schools, giving 70,000 young people the chance to see and hold a baton in the run-up to the Games.
The initiative is part of the event’s All In programme, a Scotland-wide movement inviting communities, schools, sports clubs, cultural and voluntary organisations, and businesses to celebrate the Games in their own way.
Inspired by the spirit of the official King’s Baton Relay, which is currently travelling through all Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of its return to Scotland on July 1, Schools Baton Relay is made up of 34 handcrafted Batons — one for each learning community across the city — which have been designed and produced by GalGael’s Tim Norman, the creator of the official King’s Batons.
Each of the 34 School Batons has been carved from the same Pollok Park ash tree used to make the King’s Batons, with each learning community challenged to design their own Baton before sending it on its way around local schools and nurseries.
At the City Chambers on Wednesday (February 4), 74 pupils paraded the colours of every Commonwealth nation and territory through the building’s Banqueting Hall.
Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, said: “This is the perfect opportunity for pupils to build excitement ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.
“Not only are they are going to be able to hold a piece of history in their hands by taking part in the Baton relay, schools will also have the chance to turn this into a learning opportunity as well as encouraging increased sports participation.”
READ NEXT:
-
Glasgow schools conference 'first step' in tackling boys' mental health crisis
-
School where pupils are 'strong ambassadors' praised by inspectors
-
School becomes first secondary in South Lanarkshire to win top award
Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said: “By placing these handcrafted Batons into the hands of school pupils, we’ve created an opportunity to connect them to a global Commonwealth journey, as well as celebrate what makes Glasgow special.
“We can’t wait to see the creative ideas that the children and young people produce, and we look forward to showcasing all 34 Schools Batons to the world this summer.”
Scottish Netball star Lexy Gillies helped the pupils kick off the relay in Glasgow.
“I’m currently the youngest Scottish Thistle, so being here to represent the team is a huge honour,” she said. “It’s really exciting to meet young people who are in the same position I was not too long ago and to have the chance to inspire them.
“Events like this are so important because the Commonwealth Games are not just about the athletes, they’re about the whole city.
“The Schools’ Baton Relay really captures the spirit of the Games and helps young people feel part of something bigger. It’s only been three years since I represented Scotland at the Youth Games, so to now be involved in a home Games is incredibly special.”
Glasgow 2026 runs from July 23 to August 2 and will see 3000 world-class athletes from 74 nations and territories compete in 10 sports and six Para sports.
Although the Schools’ Baton Relay is unique to Glasgow, the Glasgow 2026 team has developed a national digital resource pack, enabling schools across Scotland to get involved in their own way and join the nationwide buildup to the Games.
To find out more visit the Glasgow 2026 website.
Share