THE Queen's Baton has now been in Scotland for a week and its journey here is proving as successful as that in the previous 248 days, which carried it through 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

Some doubted whether the public would respond to the baton's 40-day tour of Scotland, feeling it would lack the draw of the Olympic torch which was carried throughout Britain two years ago.

In fact, enthusiastic crowds have already accompanied the baton every step of the way, whether in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, the Lothians or Ayrshire. It has brought with it a chance to celebrate local heroes, those who have contributed to local life or impressed and inspired others through the adversity they have faced.

Notably, as The Herald has reported, some in the crowd who failed to see the baton have been quite undismayed. Neither the object itself, nor the message from the Queen which it carries, are quite the point.

It is functioning instead as a welcome opportunity to bring people together on the streets, a symbol of community unity, and the enthusiasm which greets it bodes well for the success of the Games themselves.