Baton Relay Begins
14th March 2005

The Baton, which will travel to every Commonwealth country on its journey to the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Melbourne in a year's time has began its journey from Buckingham Palace. The baton, carried by thousands of runners, will travel 110,000 miles through 71 countries on its way to Melbourne, Australia, for the games. It contains a message from the Queen which will be read out at the opening ceremony on 15 March 2006.

The Queen's baton relay has been part of the games since 1958.

The Queen handed the Commonwealth Games 2006 baton to model Elle McPherson who then passed it to athlete Cathy Freeman who won gold in the 400m at the Sydney Olympics.

The head of the Melbourne Games, Ronald Walker, and other representatives from Melbourne and the Commonwealth Games Federation were also present in London for the launch.

The Baton will arrive in Scotland on Easter Sunday, 27th March and will depart on 31st March. After arriving in Glasgow from Belfast, the Baton will travel to various sporting venues in Glasgow on Easter Monday and will then travel through to Melrose on Tuesday 29th March. After a Rugby 7's session at Melrose Rugby Club, it will travel to Edinburgh and then Stirling. CGCS is hosting a reception for their Thistle Club members at Stirling University iin the evening.

On Wednesday, primary schools in and around Stirling will be visited and the Baton will then return to Glasgow before departing on 31st March for Guernsey.