Commonwealth Games — big day for Orkney’s baton bearers

People in Orkney will learn today if they have been selected to carry the Queen’s Baton during its time in the county in the run up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The baton will arrive in Orkney on July 10 and leave the following day and will travel through Stromness, Stenness, Skara Brae, Dounby, Finstown, Kirkwall, St Mary’s and St Margaret’s Hope.

The baton will visit over 400 communities throughout the country, offering people across the nation a chance to be a part of the excitement, celebrations and countdown to the biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival to be staged in Scotland.

Candidates for the Baton Relay will be notified by email today if their nominations have been successful.

Community baton bearers have been selected by independent panels, which considered people’s achievements against the odds, their mentoring of young people, contributions to community and youth sport, and those who make a difference through volunteering and community support.