Surprise relay stop energises Walkerburn
The build-up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow reached the Scottish Borders with a surprise appearance by the King’s Baton Relay in Walkerburn. Young riders and families gathered at the village’s new pump track as two familiar Scottish sports figures — rugby coach and former Scotland Sevens player Scott Wight, and Duns weightlifter Maddie Rosher — helped showcase the baton and encourage local participation in sport.
The visit formed part of a wider programme to take the Games’ spirit into communities before the opening ceremony at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow later this week. Organisers said that, rather than a single baton touring every participating nation as in previous years, each competing team has been given its own uniquely decorated baton, with all of them due to be brought together at the ceremony.
Local athletes lead by example
Wight, who competed when the Games were last staged in Glasgow in 2014, underlined the value of the relay in getting young people active and connected.
"I think it's a great way for kids to meet new friends, it allows them to go to some pretty cool places in terms of where the Commonwealth Games have been; and it's great to have a home Commonwealth Games again."
He also spoke about the sense of identity the event offers competitors.
"In terms of what it does for individual athletes, who do a lot of training on their own, it gives you a greater feel to it because you become Team Scotland. This year it will be ten different sports making one big team, and I think the energy that brings, especially with the home crowd, is excellent."
For Maddie Rosher, formerly of Berwickshire High School and currently ranked fifth in the 69kg category, the Walkerburn stop was a timely lift. She is slated to compete in the weightlifting event on 28 July, and the chance to share the baton moment with Borders youngsters clearly resonated.
"I'm very proud, it means a lot; especially since its a home Games and everyone I know is going to be there. And to put on the Scottish singlet, which is a bit of a rare opportunity in weightlifting, is pretty cool."
Bringing the Games closer to Borders communities
The appearance at Walkerburn’s pump track highlights how local facilities can act as gateways into sport for young people in the Borders, from cycling to rugby and strength disciplines. While the Games are centred in Glasgow, the relay’s stop in the Tweed Valley offered a tangible link for families who might otherwise only encounter the competition through screens.
With participation and visibility credited by coaches and athletes as key ingredients in sustaining interest, the chance for children to meet role models from within the region was significant. The event blended informal meet-and-greets with an introduction to the baton’s symbolism and the teamwork that underpins Scotland’s multi-sport delegation.
What happens next
The relay is also scheduled to appear at the British National Mountain Biking Championships at Ae Forest in Dumfries & Galloway before travelling on to Aberdeen. The uniquely decorated batons for each team are due to be united for the first time at the Games’ opening ceremony at the Ovo Hydro on Thursday.
For Borders residents, attention now turns to the final preparations of athletes with ties to the region, including Rosher’s upcoming appearance in Glasgow. With a home crowd in prospect, hopes are high that the momentum generated by the relay’s local stop can translate into increased club sign-ups and a summer of grassroots activity across the area.
At-a-glance: Walkerburn relay visit
| Location | Walkerburn pump track, Scottish Borders |
|---|---|
| Special guests | Scott Wight (rugby), Maddie Rosher (weightlifting) |
| Key dates | Weightlifting: 28 July; Opening ceremony: Thursday |
| Next relay stops | Ae Forest (D&G), then Aberdeen |
Why it matters for the Borders
- Inspiration on the doorstep: Young people met international-level athletes from within or connected to the region.
- Spotlight on facilities: Walkerburn’s pump track provided a focal point for cycling and community sport.
- Home Games momentum: The relay brought the excitement of a national event into local streets and parks.
As the countdown continues, the relay’s Borders stop has done what it set out to achieve: draw communities into the story of the Games and remind prospective competitors of all ages that sporting journeys often begin close to home.
