The Commonwealth Games Baton arrived at Dumfries House on Thursday, July 2, 2026, as part of The King’s Baton Relay, marking the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games later this month. The event, held across the 2,000-acre estate in Ayrshire, brought together students, alumni, and the local community for a group photo and celebrations.
Estate's Royal Connection and Educational Role
Dumfries House was saved for the nation by King Charles III in 2007 and has since undergone extensive restoration and conservation. Today, it serves as the headquarters of The King’s Foundation, which runs education programmes in textiles, farming, hospitality, traditional crafts, and STEM, educating more than 10,000 learners annually.
The baton, accompanied by Finnie, the official mascot for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, visited The Pierburg and Kauffman Education Garden. There, they met students, volunteers, and the gardening team, with school pupils participating in the charity’s Food for the Future and Growing Together Cooking Together programmes, which teach about food waste and farm-to-fork concepts.
Celebrations at the Maze and Adam Bridge
Students, alumni, and the community then gathered at the maze for celebrations featuring music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, marking 10 years of partnership with The King’s Foundation. The partnership delivers fully-funded ballet and music classes at Dumfries House.
A community photo was taken on the Adam Bridge, designed by John Adam and built in 1790, one of the oldest structures on the estate, connecting the main house to the Arboretum and gardens.
Baton Bearer Siobhan Mackenzie
The baton was held by official bearer Siobhan Mackenzie, a member of The King’s Foundation 35 under 35 network and designer of the official tartan for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and Team Scotland. Last year, she presented the tartan certificate to King Charles III at Dumfries House during the foundation’s 35th anniversary celebrations.
Also present were Emma Farrell, 82, and Stewart Cumming, 6, representing the foundation’s oldest and youngest learners, along with Gabby, the Dumfries House Dog of the Decade.
Previous Visits and Community Impact
The baton previously visited New Cumnock Swimming Pool, part of The King’s Foundation, in 2014, and Dumfries House in 2022 during the Queen’s Baton Relay.
Jacqueline Farrell, Executive Director of Education at The King’s Foundation, said: “It has been wonderful to welcome The King’s Baton Relay to Dumfries House for the start of its journey around Scotland. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students and alumni, along with the local community, to get involved in the celebrations ahead of the Games later this month. Dumfries House was saved for the nation by our Royal Founding President, His Majesty The King, therefore it is fitting for us to host the baton here on the Estate, that he has helped to shape over the last 19 years.”
Siobhan Mackenzie added: “It is a tremendous honour to be selected as a Baton Bearer for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Dumfries House. To carry the Baton as Scotland prepares to welcome the Commonwealth back to Glasgow is something I will always be proud of. Having designed the official Glasgow 2026 tartan, this moment feels especially meaningful. Seeing the tartan become part of the identity of the Games has been an incredible privilege, and to now play a role in the Baton Relay feels like a special full-circle moment. Being recognised as one of The King’s Foundation’s 35 Under 35 has reinforced my belief in the importance of preserving traditional skills while embracing innovation. Returning to Dumfries House for the Baton Relay makes this honour even more special, as it was here that I had the privilege of presenting His Majesty The King, as Head of the Commonwealth, with the Glasgow 2026 tartan certificate. To now return as a Baton Bearer feels so fitting, and I hope it inspires others to celebrate Scotland’s rich cultural heritage while looking confidently to the future.”
