Torch reaches Scotland
The Olympic Torch has moved on to Scotland where it will spend a week travelling around the country.
Last Updated: 08/06/12 12:50pm
The Olympic Torch has moved on to Scotland where it will spend a week travelling around the country.
The relay began at dawn in the seaside port of Stranraer, on the south west coast of the country, and will wind its way towards Glasgow.
Thousands of people lined the route to see the Olympic flame begin its journey around Scotland.
The build-up began with music in Stranraer's Castle Square, before bearers carrying flags from each of the 200 countries taking part in the Games greeted the torch procession.
It set off at 6am, heading to the outskirts of Stranraer - taking in George Street, Charlotte Street, Port Rodie and Cairnryan Road.
Journey
The first leg of its Scottish journey will end with celebrations in Glasgow Friday evening.
Soldier Ross McClelland, from Ayr, was the first person to run with the torch on Scottish soil. The 20-year-old, who serves with A Company 2 Scots, returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan earlier this year.
Speaking after he completed his section of the relay, the soldier said: "My big sister nominated me when I was in Afghanistan. I do a lot of running in the Army and she thought it would be right up my street.
"When I'm not serving overseas all I really do is running over here.
"As soon as I got on the bus everyone started cheering and waving flags. When I was on the bus I didn't know if I was nervous or hungry, but as soon as I got off, it started going crazy and I knew."
Principal
Also running were Doreen Bowie, 62, the principal of Stranraer's Wallace School of Dance and Carol Harwood, from the Isle of Arran.
It was the second time Ms Bowie got her hands on the torch - she was picked to carry the flame from the ferry into Scotland from Northern Ireland last night.
For the next seven days, the torch will tour the country, taking in some of the UK's furthest flung places, including Orkney and Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides.
It will also visit Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, where it will be greeted with celebrations at the city's ancient castle.
The torch was met off the ferry by Scotland Office minister David Mundell and Shona Robison, the Scottish Government's minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport.
A ceremony was held at the P&O ferry port where the torch landed.
