Party atmosphere in Barra celebration

A happy party atmosphere marked the street celebrations on Barra for the visit of the Queens’ Baton on Monday.

Islanders danced a mass Strip-the-Willow outside the islands’ secondary school in in Castlebay while infants were engrossed with a bouncy castle.

Many amongst the crowd of over 200 islanders - about a fifth of the island’s population - highlighted how thrilled they were that such a prominent Scotland-wide event did not miss them out.

Baton bearer Margaret Ann Beggs who was the first to set off on the walking route around the main centre of Castlebay said she thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The villager from Skallary said: “It was amazing carrying the baton because you could stop and get your photo taken with family and others.

Such events rarely take in the island, said the local volunteer who is often busy helping out with local activities. She also ran the Barrathon a couple of years ago.

“We are usually the tail-end of the tail-end so to be actually part of it is just brilliant,“ she emphasised.

Katie Macneil, pointed out: “It is wonderful to be included as part of Scotland. Quite often we are forgotten. It was nice to be remembered.

“It was an honour and an humbling experience to carry the baton - that somebody thought you were worthy of carrying it.

The arrival of the baton brings the summer games “more home to you,” she added.

PE teacher Amy Dickinson finished off the Barra visit being photographed with many well-wishers and local residents.

Originally from Glasgow but now living on the island, she was nominated for encouraging people to take up sport.

The 28-year-old said: “It was such an unique experience that I’ll never forget.

“It was nerve-wracking at first with lots of photos taken which I’m not used to. It was great to see everyone so encouraging and enjoying the experience with me.”

On Tuesday, the baton is scheduled to fly to St Kilda on a helicopter. First thing in the morning, it will travel on Cal Mac’s ferry. MV Loch Alainn, to Eriskay and cross the causeway to Daliburgh in South Uist before heading to Lionaclate in Benbecula.

It will miss out North Uist, Berneray and South Harris as weather permitting, from Balivanich Airport some 41 miles into the Atlantic Ocean to visit the workers at the radar base and nature reservation before hopping back to Harris on its route to Lewis on Tuesday night.

Party atmosphere for games’ celebration 7/7/14

Amy Dickinson was a baton bearer in Castlebay