Dumfries House played host to some special guests on Monday morning as the Queen’s Baton Relay for this year’s Commonwealth Games paid a visit.
Eight lucky people got to carry the specially crafted baton during stops at The Prince’s Foundation’s Dumfries House and New Cumnock Swimming Pool , which was designed to celebrate the strength and fortitude of women across the Commonwealth.
Six of those eight people were Tom Nolan, Lewis Scremin, Lochlan Murdoch, David Gallagher, Scott McNee and Gavin Hartley, who got to grips at Dumfries House.
The baton then travelled up the road to New Cumnock, where Erin Guild and Mary Clapperton also got to carry it.
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.
Plenty of friends and family of the bearers, as well as other interested spectators, stopped off to see the baton, follow the procession, and pose for a photo outside Dumfries House.
All the bearers were worthy participants, with them all having grand stories of their own.
Local Team Scotland bowlers also attended to throw some bowls on the lawn of Dumfries House, with the baton in the background.
Fundraising legend Lochlan Murdoch was one of the bearers to carry to the baton.
Lochlan has carried out great work with his charity, Lochlan’s Legacy to raise awareness of Type-1 diabetes.
David Gallagher started running to raise funds for treatment for his wife Lauren, then continued running to help cope with grief after losing her. Now, he continues to run marathons in memory of Lauren and fundraise for a charity that raises awareness of the illness she died from.
Erin Guild, who carried the baton at New Cumnock Swimming Pool, was born with cystinosis, an uncureable disease, and is now at secondary school trying to live a normal life, including competing with her horse and raising money and awareness for the Cystinosis Foundation UK charity.
READ MORE: Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay stops off in East Ayrshire
Kicking off the carrying at Dumfries house was Tom Nolan, who was described as a “success story” of Dumfries House’s health and wellbeing programmes.
Tom said: “I couldn’t believe when I got the call to be a bearer.
“I was in a position where I was told I wouldn’t have long to live because of my weight, to now carrying this baton and being involved in this. It’s amazing.
“I’m so proud to have been a part of it, with my friends and family there.
“I’d encourage anyone to give the Dumfries House programmes a go.”
Images by Iain Brown.
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