Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour played host to an unusual visitor on Friday 10 July as the King’s Baton Relay sailed in aboard one of its vessels ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Members of the port’s team and community partners were on hand to welcome the King’s Baton as it makes its way to the opening ceremony in less than a fortnight’s time.
Taking place from 23 July to 2 August, Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is an 11-day celebration of world-class sport. It will see 3,000 volunteers, alongside thousands of fans, and communities from across Glasgow join together to welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories.
The Baton’s visit to Port of Aberdeen aims to highlight Scotland’s world-class offshore wind capabilities alongside the relay’s core theme of community connection.
The delegation accompanying the Baton included Port of Aberdeen CEO Bob Sanguinetti DL, along with Kyle Robertson, son of port People & Culture Advisor Amber Inglis. They were joined on board by representatives from the port’s community partners, including Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer of the Denis Law Legacy Trust, who also carried the Commonwealth torch back in 2014, and Aberdeen Sea Cadets Rebecca Milne and Erin Wilkinson.
Representatives from Sport Aberdeen a wider cohort of Sea Cadets gathered to wave flags during the Baton’s journey from the port’s Telford Jetty in North Harbour to Balmoral Quay in South Harbour.
Symbol of community
Bob Sanguinetti DL, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said:
“We are pleased to be part of the baton’s 23-day journey across Scotland as we mark our nation’s part in the Commonwealth, our Scottish identity and the Games.
“The Scotland baton carries the word ‘gather’, which is a symbol of community, connection and celebration. As a Trust Port, we put our local communities at the heart of our commitment, whilst also championing our nation’s strong industrial heritage and the role it is playing in powering the country’s future.
“We are showcasing Scotland’s offshore wind capabilities and the national infrastructure asset of South Harbour to a global audience. The £420million expansion is the largest marine infrastructure project in trust port history, and Scotland’s world-leading floating wind ambitions are underpinned by this energy hub.”
Unique design
Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“The Scottish sector of the King’s Baton Relay is a key milestone in the build-up to Glasgow 2026.
“With athletes coming from all parts of the country, we cherish the responsibility of representing the whole nation through Team Scotland, and the King’s Baton Relay gives us the opportunity to bring the Games out to communities across Scotland.”
Traditionally, the relay involves a single baton travelling through every Commonwealth nation. For Glasgow 2026, the event has been reimagined, with each of the 74 competing nations and territories receiving their own unique Baton to customise.
The Batons that have travelled the Commonwealth was created in Glasgow by skilled makers from a social enterprise named Galgael and master craftsman Tim Norman.
Three interlocking pieces of sustainably sourced ash – a hardwood that grows throughout Scotland – come together to create the Baton’s form. Each end is tapered to allow two people to hold the Baton at the same time, creating moments of connection throughout its journey across the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth journey
Every one of the 74 nations and territories have taken part in the relay celebrations as it travelled across the Commonwealth. The Scottish Baton has been designed by Glasgow-based artist Annie Graham who has carved a stunning image of scenic Scotland into the wooden Baton.
The King’s Baton’s journey to Glasgow 2026 will have taken 500 days and has reached every corner of the Commonwealth. The relay began at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, Monday 10 March 2025, when His Majesty The King placed His Message to the Commonwealth that is being carried as part of the relay in Scotland’s Baton.
All 74 Batons will be reunited at the Opening Ceremony at Glasgow 2026, where the Scotland Baton will be presented to His Majesty and the message read aloud to declare the Games open.