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Secretary of State welcomes Scottish Olympic Torch route

The Olympic torch will pass through over 120 Scottish towns and cities next year.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, will today welcomed the route for the Olympic torch in Scotland. The iconic torch will pass through every Local Authority and over 120 villages, towns, and cities in Scotland between 8 and 14 June 2012.

An average of 115 Torchbearers will carry the torch each day. They have been nominated for their personal achievement or contribution to their community and the successful nominees will be notified next month. There will be a community celebration each evening when the torch reaches its destination. It will be  placed in a caldron each night to allow as many people as possible to see it.

The torch will travel by plane to Orkney and the Shetland islands and at other times it will be transported by car, train and bikes when it is not being carried on foot. Over 95% of the UK population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next summer.

The Secretary of State for Scotland said:

“I look forward to welcoming the Olympic torch to Scotland for the first time. The Olympic Organising Committee, LOCOG, have worked extremely hard to ensure that most people in Scotland will have the opportunity to join the Olympic celebrations. I encourage schools and Local Authorities to come together to create a unique local celebration when the torch passes through their town. For the hundreds of Scottish Torchbearers this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and one in which they should be extremely proud to participate.”

Published 7 November 2011