GLASGOW was once again buzzing with Commonwealth Games fever as the Gold Coast 2018 baton toured the city.

The macadamia wood and reclaimed plastic baton glowed a rainbow of colours as it was passed around Glasgow 2014 landmarks across the city.

It is making a 142,915-mile journey over 388 days ahead of the Gold Coast Games, travelling through Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

First stop on its five days in Scotland was Glasgow in recognition of our host city status.

At Glasgow School of Sport, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined council leader Susan Aitken, Lord Provost Eva Bolander and the school’s director Angela Porter to welcome the baton.

Michael Jamieson, Olympic and Commonwealth silver medallist in swimming, was the first baton bearer as the relay arrived at Glasgow School of Sport.

He was accompanied by Louise Martin, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, and Jon Doig, chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Scotland during its journey around the Commonwealth ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Scotland hosted the most successful Commonwealth Games ever in Glasgow 2014 and we are looking to achieve our best away Games ever in Australia next year.”

She added: “We will continue to invest for the future by creating world-class facilities and providing funding for coaching and training so that, from grassroots to elite, Scotland can be proud of its sporting achievements.

“Scotland hosted the most successful Commonwealth Games ever in Glasgow 2014 and we are looking to achieve our best away games ever in Australia next year.

“Bellahouston Academy has a proud record of producing athletes who have gone onto represent Scotland including our hugely successful Youth Commonwealth Games Team who brought back their highest haul of 21 medals from the recent Games in the Bahamas.

“We will continue to invest for the future by creating world-class facilities and providing funding for coaching and training so that, from grassroots to elite, Scotland can be proud of its sporting achievements.”

The baton, which left Buckingham Palace in March carrying a message from the Queen, will arrive in Australia in December and travel through the country, finishing its journey at the Opening Ceremony on April 4.

In Glasgow, the 42nd stop of its global tour, the baton visited a range of youth and community projects with a strong focus on the legacy of the previous Games.

After Glasgow School of Sport came the former Commonwealth Games Village in Dalmarnock and then over the new pedestrian cycle and footbridge into South Lanarkshire, for a loop of the Cuningar Woodland Park.

Young badminton players then greeted the baton at the Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome where Commonwealth Games badminton bronze medallist Susan Egelstaff carried it on a lap of honour around the venue.

The baton was then taken the short distance to The Legacy Hub by People’s Development Trust representative John Macaulay for a Dalmarnock community BBQ.

After visits to Team Scotland sponsor, CGI with Batonbearer Para-Sport athlete Meggan Dawson-Farrell, there was a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland at a Common Purpose UK students programme.

The group discussed what this generation of the Commonwealth can do to make our cities more safe and inclusive by 2030.

Finally, the baton finished the day in George Square where Glasgow 2014 batonbearers and Clydesiders formed a guard of honour.

Ms Bolander said: “It only seems like yesterday that we were welcoming our own Queen’s Baton Relay to the city ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“The people of Glasgow were so excited and enthusiastic, and it really was wonderful to see.

“If the excitement today is any indicator, everyone in the country will be behind the Scottish athletes next April, cheering Team Scotland on as it aims for its best ever overseas medal haul.”

Lord Smith of Kelvin, former chairman of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and now chairman of Clyde Gateway, added: “I was proud to play my part in delivering the most successful ever Commonwealth Games back in 2014, but I am just as proud of the fact that my role with Clyde Gateway is helping to ensure the promises around a lasting and sustainable legacy are being kept.

“The remarkable and eye-catching physical changes in the east end of Glasgow and Rutherglen are being matched by a tremendous economic and social regeneration that has made a real difference to the lives of local people and will continue to do so for many more years to come.”