Revealing the Queen’s Baton Relay route

The baton has touched down in Scotland, and will arrive in East Renfrewshire on July 16.

It leaves from Mure Hall in Uplawmoor at 7.30am before travelling to Neilston, Barrhead, Newton Mearns, Eaglesham, Busby, Clarkston, Stamperland, Giffnock, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Park, Woodfarm, Thornliebank, Newton Mearns again and back to Barrhead, where an evening celebration will be held in Cowan Park.

According to East Ren council, five of the best areas for spectators will be Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen, Clarkston and the Avenue shopping centre, as well as the grand finale.

Carrying the torch for his community at The Avenue is Russell MacMillan, founder of East Renfrewshire Good Causes — a charity aimed at helping neighbours in need.

Russell — registered blind and the recipient of a double transplant in 2007 — is one of 114 batonbearers in the area.

He told The Extra: “It is an honour to be selected to carry the baton on behalf of transplant recipients, and in following my Christian beliefs.

“I am only alive today thanks to those organs, and when I carry the baton I do so to say thanks to the organ donor.

“The Avenue have had us as their charity partner for the past three years, and to be given this prime slot at the heart of the community is just a dream come true.”

The relay arrives in the southside of Glasgow on July 22 and the ballot for free tickets to finish line events (including Queen’s Park recreation ground) is open until June 22 at www.glasgow2014.com/baton-relay.