Renfrewshire towns and villages on Commonwealth route.
The list of Renfrewshire towns and villages on the route for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay has been released – with 15 local communities set to feature.
The baton will visit Renfrewshire on Thursday 17 July – Day 34 of a 40-day Scottish tour covering each of the country’s 32 local authorities.
Renfrewshire Council will be co-ordinating a festival of fun to mark the day, with a series of local events to welcome the baton on its way around the area.
The local route is as follows – Howwood, Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan, Johnstone, Elderslie, Linwood, Brookfield, Bridge of Weir, Houston, Langbank, Bishopton, Erskine, Inchinnan, Renfrew and Paisley.
Further details showing timings and the street-level route will be released nearer the time.
Councillor Jim Harte, Convener of Renfrewshire Sport, Leisure and Culture Policy Board, said: “Glasgow 2014 will be the biggest sporting event ever to take place in Scotland, and Renfrewshire is uniquely placed to help celebrate that in our role as the Gateway to the Games.
“The visit of the Queen’s Baton Relay will be the perfect opportunity for local residents to be part of the Games when it comes to a street near them.
“Every one of Renfrewshire’s 15 communities will have the chance to share in the occasion and I am sure the events due to take place will make it a day to remember.”
The baton will visit over 400 communities, offering people across the nation a chance to be a part of the countdown to Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival.
The relay will reflect the important role of sport by visiting schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres, and encouraging communities to get behind Team Scotland.
The 40-day journey of the baton will cover 8,000 kilometres, showcasing the nation’s most-iconic landmarks and culture such as the Forth Bridge, Loch Ness and St Andrew’s Old Course.
On 31 March thousands of people will find out whether their nominations to become batonbearers have been successful.
When it arrives in Scotland on 14 June, the baton will have been on 248-day global epic journey through all other 69 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, said: “The Queen’s Baton 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.
“With less than three months to go until the baton comes home to Scotland, the momentum is building for the biggest festival of sport and culture this nation has ever hosted.”
The Queen’s Baton Relay route in Scotland has been planned by Glasgow 2014 in partnership with Commonwealth Games Scotland and 32 Local Authorities. The relay is delivered in association with those Local Authorities.
For more information about the relay, visit www.glasgow2014.com/batonrelay , and for information of local events, keep an eye on www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events