The King's Baton Relay visited Dumfries House on Thursday as part of the build-up to the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, with the event's mascot Finnie stealing the spotlight. Hundreds of people gathered on the Dumfries House Estate in Ayrshire to witness the relay, which began at the Queen Elizabeth II walled garden.
Finnie the Mascot Delights Crowds
Finnie, a unicorn with a traffic cone as a horn, skipped and danced through iconic parts of the estate, including the maze and the 18th-century Adam Bridge. The mascot was particularly taken by performances from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, conducting the group, dancing, and mimicking playing the violin. Dozens of children, recently broken up for the summer holidays, held hands with Finnie as he joined the celebration zone.
The intricately carved oak baton was carried through the estate by seven specially selected groups, comprising students and alumni of the King's Foundation and local community members. The relay kicked off shortly after 10am, with Finnie visiting The Pierburg and Kaufman Education Garden, where students, volunteers, and the Dumfries House gardening team were working.
Diverse Baton Carriers Honoured
Baton carriers included recent graduates from Foundation programmes such as Introduction to Farming and Hospitality, two riders from the British Horse Society (BHS) who carried the baton on horseback, an Elvis impersonator who performs at the estate's tea dances to reduce social isolation, and a local running group. Crowds cheered along the route before all carriers posed for a photograph on the Adam Bridge.
Official baton bearer Siobhan Mackenzie, 33, carried the baton up to Dumfries House, accompanied by a piper and a local cadet group. Mackenzie, a King's Foundation 35 under 35 member, designed the official tartan for the 2026 Games and Team Scotland. She posed for photos with the house's Chippendale furniture, as Dumfries House is home to one of the largest collections of the 18th-century furniture designer's work.
Tartan Designer's Pride
Speaking afterwards, Mackenzie said over 1,200 metres of the tartan have been used for Team Scotland's athletes' uniforms. She described having the honour of designing the tartan as “so special,” adding: “Because it’s a home Games I think there’s that extra level of pride.” Mackenzie noted the last few months have been extremely busy, with team announcements only recently made, requiring her to work around the clock to ensure athletes have attire in the correct sizes.
Also present were the King's Foundation's oldest and youngest learners, Emma Farrell, 82, and Stewart Cumming, six, as well as Gabby, the Dumfries House Dog of the Decade. The Commonwealth Games Baton previously visited the New Cumnock Swimming Pool, part of the King's Foundation, in 2014 and Dumfries House in 2022 during the Queen's Baton Relay.
Dumfries House Legacy
Dumfries House and its estate were saved for the nation by King Charles in 2007, and have since undergone restoration and conservation for the local community. Today, the King's Foundation runs education programmes in textiles, farming, hospitality, traditional crafts, and STEM onsite, educating more than 10,000 learners every year.
