By Farah Souames
By Farah Souames
Morocco World News
London, June 13, 2012
The Olympic flame continues its journey through Scotland, having entered Dumfries & Galloway briefly at Stranraer, before skirting along the Ayrshire coast.
The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics will be held on July 27. The official, and symbolic, Olympic Torch arrived in Glasgow on June 8, 2012 along its eight thousand mile journey from China. The torch’s journey through Scotland, awakened anticipation for the Olympics.
This morning, the torch left the mainland travelling to the Isle of Lewis, and then back later in the day, it reaches Aberdeen. People welcomed the Olympic flame in the streets and cheered on the torchbearers carrying the flame, sharing in the excitement the Olympic Torch Relay.
The flame has been taken just over 138 miles by 109 torchbearers. Among them were professional golfer Colin Montgomerie, passing through Inverness, Aviemore, Carrbridge, Grantown-on-Spey, Tomintoul, Crathie, Ballater, Dinnet, Aboyne, Kincardine O’Neil, Banchory, Drumoak, Peterculter, Bieldside and Cults.
The flame travelled through Aberdeenshire and arrived at approximately 6:25 pm in Peterculter. The Olympic flame then reached Bieldside, Milltimber, Cults and Mannofield at 6:30 before it headed along Great Western Road, Holburn Street and Union Street B, it ended up at the host city’s two-hour evening celebrations at the Castlegate.
British Olympic gold medal winning rower Ben Hunt Davis was introduced to the crowd as the Olympic flame made its way from Peterculter, through Bieldside at 6:39 pm, Cults around 6:52 pm, Great Western Road at 7:30 pm making its way up Holburn Street then on to Union Street arriving at the Castlegate around 8 pm.
The exciting event at the Castlegate was free and featured local entertainment and well-known must-see performers. The party started at around 6:20 that evening and included acrobatic displays, performance dancers and traditional Scottish music. The headline act was award-winning singer/songwriter Emeli Sande who was due on stage for a 20-minute set around 7:35pm.
The celebration at the Castlegate has been organized by LOCOG and the three partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – Coca-Cola, Bank of Scotland and Samsung – supporting partner BP and support from Aberdeen City Council.
Day 25 of the Olympic Torch Relay will set off at 7:20am approximately from BP’s headquarters in Dyce, making its way via Bucksburn and the Haudigan Roundabout to Hilton Drive, where the first Torchbearer of the day will carry the Olympic Flame.
The relay will then continue via Anderson Drive to Bridge of Dee and then make its way on to the A90 as it leaves Aberdeen and continues on its historic journey.
Aberdeen City Council’s chief executive Valerie Watts said weeks ago, “The evening celebration will give the whole family a chance to share the excitement of the Olympic games as the world counts down to the official opening ceremony in London.”
“She then continued, “The eyes of the world will be on Aberdeen so it is a unique opportunity for the city to put on a show that we will all remember on what is a very special occasion.”
She went on to say, “Aberdeen showed the world how to put on a first-class show worthy of the Olympic Torch Relay, entertaining the thousands of people expected to line the streets and support their support for this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
After the celebrations had finished, the flame was transferred to a lantern and it will stay in Aberdeen overnight.
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic games in London on July 27.
It is hoped that the captivating landscapes that will be the backdrop of the journey will lure more visitors to Scotland in the future. The torch will move on to Dundee and then complete its Scottish journey in Edinburgh on June 13, which will be accompanied by a vibrant parade.
