Dumfries House played host to some special guests on Monday morning the Queen's Baton Relay for this year's Commonwealth Games stopped in at Dumfries House.

Eight lucky people got to hold the specially crafted baton, which was designed to celebrate the strength and fortitude of women across the Commonwealth.

The Queen's baton relay is passing through East Ayrshire this morning as it makes it way through 72 Commonwealth nations and territories. It's at Dumfries House Estate where baton-bearers are carrying it through a special route of the estate👏

Posted by Cumnock Chronicle on Monday, 20 June 2022

The baton arrived in Scotland at the weekend at the beginning of a five-day journey across the country ahead of the Games in Birmingham.

Plenty of friends and family of the bearers, as well as other interested specators, stopped off to see the baton, follow the procession, and pose for a photo outside Dumfries House.

Cumnock Chronicle: The team photographThe team photograph

The baton made its way over the Adam Bridge, past the new adventure playground, stopping off at the front of the house, before travelling through the Rothesay Gardens.

After the stop at Dumfries House, the baton then made its way to New Cumnock Swimming Pool, another aspect of the work in the area by The Prince's Foundation.

Cumnock Chronicle: A lucky handoverA lucky handover

Local baking legend Tracey McKay baked a wonderful life-like baton cake to celebrate the occasion.

That occasion was celebrated by one of the baton-bearers, Lochlan Murdoch, enjoying the first bits of the incredible-looking design.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games takes place in Birmingham from Thursday, July 28 until Monday, August 8.

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