The Baton, designed by Glasgow-based 4c Design Limited, was crafted using elm, titanium and the granite used for curling stones.

It will be carried during the Queen's Baton Relay on a journey some 100,000 miles long, through 71 Commonwealth countries and territories, to celebrate and announce next year's Games.

Due to begin its journey from Buckingham Palace on October 9, the Baton includes a transparent cylinder illuminated by LEDs that will carry a message from the Queen; its handle is cut from elm from an island on the Firth of Clyde and was made using boat-builders' techniques.

Elm, titanium and the granite used for curling stones have all be used in the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay, which was officially unveiled at Glasgow Science Centre

The Baton was formally presented to Lord Smith of Kelvin, chairman of Glasgow 2014, by Scotland's most successful Commonwealth athlete Allan Wells, who was recently announced as a Games Ambassador.

The 1980 Olympic 100 metres champion was the final baton-bearer at the last Commonwealth Games on Scottish soil in Edinburgh in 1986.

Wells, winner of six Commonwealth Games medals, including four gold, will also be among the first baton-bearers for the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay when it leaves from Buckingham Palace.

"The Queen's Baton Relay is a great tradition of the Commonwealth Games and a wonderful opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to share our culture and heritage with the citizens of the Commonwealth," said Smith.

"Glasgow 2014's Queen's Baton is not only an incredibly stylish object, but is an example of cutting-edge, contemporary Scottish design that tells so many stories about our nation.

"It is a symbol of our friendship and the warm welcome that awaits the Commonwealth family here next year.

"As the baton leaves a piece of Scottish granite in every nation it visits, I hope it also leaves a sense of our excitement and determination to make Glasgow 2014 an outstanding experience for all who attend."

Designed by 4c Design, the Baton will take a 288-day journey through all 71 nations and territories in the Commonwealth before returning to Scotland for the start of the Games

Glasgow 2014 claimed the lattice was inspired by the style of the Glaswegian architect and furniture designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the city's industrial heritage.

The top of the Baton will be crowned by a granite "gemstone" from quarries on Ailsa Craig, an islet in the Firth of Clyde, which will be released though a "box puzzle" opening mechanism.

Each nation or territory the Baton travels through will given one of the gemstones.

Its journey around the globe before its arrival at Celtic Park for the Opening Ceremony on July 23 be documented by adventurer and broadcaster Mark Beaumont for the BBC.

"This Baton, designed and manufactured in Glasgow, is a fitting symbol to carry the Queen's message to the athletes of the Commonwealth," said Scotland's Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison.

"On its journey around the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, the baton will give two billion people a taste of the history, innovation and creativity of Scotland."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2013: Queen's Baton Relay route announced for Wales ahead of Glasgow 2014
May 2013: Glasgow company chosen to design Queen's Baton for 2014 Commonwealth Games
March 2013: Glasgow 2014 launches international route of Queen's Baton Relay
September 2012: Glasgow 2014 begins search for company to make Queen's Baton