27 May 2014

Scone Palace in the game with Queen's Baton Relay

Commonwealth Games athlete and Perth-based performance swimmer Stephen Milne launches landmark baton visit to GWCT Scottish Game FairIt’s top marks for Commonwealth Games athlete and local Perth teenager Stephen Milne as he dived  into Scone Palace today (Tuesday 27 May 2014) to promote the Queen’s Baton’s landmark visit to the GWCT Scottish Game Fair in July.

Thousands of visitors to the 26th annual Fair will welcome the baton on the opening day of the Fair on Friday 4 July around 5pm. Part of a varied route across the length and breadth of Scotland, the Queen’s Baton Relay is the main curtain-raiser for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow between 23 July and 3 August.

The baton will be carried through the Fair site in the grounds of the magnificent Scone Palace before embarking on a river boat trip to Perth.

The baton contains the Queen’s Message, which will be read out at the opening ceremony on 23 July.

David Noble, Fair Director of the GWCT Scottish Game Fair, said: “We are privileged to host the Queen’s Baton Relay and celebrate Perthshire’s part to play in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to enjoy a great day out and show their support for the baton bearers. 

“We wish Stephen Milne and all the Scottish Commonwealth athletes the best of luck in the Games.”

The Queen's Baton Relay began last October and has travelled through 68 nations and territories of the Commonwealth in Asia, Oceania, Africa, Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. On 11 May, it arrived back in the British Isles and has been carried in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. Its route takes in Wales, England and then Scotland where it will be carried by up to 4,000 baton bearers over 40 days.

Stephen Milne, aged 19 years, is a performance swimmer from Perth who has been a key part of the Scottish Gold Squad for the past three years. Stephen, who has been swimming since he was nine years old, qualified for Team Scotland in this year’s Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Tickets are on sale now for the GWCT Scottish Game Fair with 10% off advance ticket sales available until 15 June 2014. Visit www.scottishfair.com for more information.

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Photocaption: Commonwealth Games athlete and Perth-based performance swimmer Stephen Milne launches landmark baton visit to GWCT Scottish Game Fair.


Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

For information, contact:

Playfair Walker
Telephone: 0131 445 5570
Email: richard@playfairwalker.com