The Commonwealth Games baton came home today, finally arriving in the host city following its marathon journey across a large part of the globe.
The Queen's Baton returned to Glasgow, where it was designed, marking the final countdown to the opening ceremony of the 2014 Games.
The baton relay, which got under way in October, is now on its 285th day. The symbol of the forthcoming Games has already been held aloft by tens of thousands of bearers across 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
Its arrival in Glasgow marks the finale of its trip through Scotland, where it has already spent more than a month.
The first day in the host city sees the baton going through the city centre, including the Merchant City, Buchanan Street and George Square. It also takes in communities such as Garnethill, Cowcaddens, Dennistoun, Easterhouse, Riddrie, Balornock and Springburn.
The relay is also paying a visit to some of the Games venues, including the Emirates Arena, Tollcross International Swimming Centre and Celtic Park.
One of the first people to carry the baton in Glasgow was Gordon Robertson, 47, from Denniston, who was nominated for his role as an athlete and coach of GB Paralympic and Special Olympics teams.
As a specialist in the 200 and 400 metres on the track, he won a host of honours in international athletics. He now coaches young athletes at the Red Star Athletics Club in Glasgow.
Mr Robertson handed over the baton to Julia Birkinshaw at the Gallery of Modern Art.
He said: "It was a great experience, it's a special occasion for me. It's a special occasion for the city, it's really been great. It will be a good two weeks.
"It feels like it's the beginning of the Commonwealth Games, it really is just a couple of days away.
"It's the biggest sporting event the city's ever likely to hold, so I just hope the people of Glasgow enjoy it and have a great time."
The honour of carrying the baton past the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) fell to William Mitchell, 41, who led the 4c Design team which designed the baton.
He said: "It was really exciting to see it again. My company actually designed and built the baton so it was really a great honour to see it come back in one piece after having set off in October last year.
"Some of the guys who worked on it were here today as well, and my family. It's just lovely to see everybody there."
Mr Mitchell said he was pleased with how people responded to the baton around the globe.
"They (organisers) wanted it to be a symbol of the Games, but to be honest it's almost like it's become an icon of the Games. It's fantastic. People have been all over it, especially as it's travelled around the world.
"I think the key part of that was having Her Majesty's message actually visible through it. People were really intrigued by that, so I think that was a nice touch."
Mr Mitchell, 41, graduated in the 1990s from the GSA's product design course. The school's world-famous Mackintosh building was badly damaged in May in a large fire.
He said: "It's certainly a fitting spot to hand over the baton. It's a fantastic school. (The fire was) an absolute tragedy but I think the fire service did a fantastic job containing it to the level they did.
"I'm sure it won't take long to get it back to its former glory."
Games volunteer Chris Nield, 21, from near Sevenoaks in Kent, said he was excited that the sporting spectacle is nearly upon us.
"I'm here to give a warm welcome to the friendly Games. I'm so happy and I hope I'll give my energy to everyone else," he said.
"I got involved with the Olympic Games in London. Normally in London on the underground you see people so quiet and miserable but during the Games and the Paralympics they were hyper. I hope it will be the same again with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."
Paula McGuire carrying the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow
Emma Canning carrying the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton at the Glasgow Film Theatre
Crowds gather to watch the Queen's Baton
Jacqueline Smith and Daniel Skeith on Buchanan Street
Glasgow City Council Leader Gordon Matheson
Kirsty Wark carries the baton along Cathedral Street
Kirsty Wark at Rottenrow Gardens
Baton bearers Diane Knox and Dr Margo Whiteford, chair of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association
Clyde 1 presenter Diane Knox (Knoxy) at the subway on Buchanan Street
Robin Galloway carries the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton on the Glasgow Subway
National Theatre Tin Forest Cast with Clyde at Glasgow Green
Serign Sanneh carries the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton at The Lighthouse
Derek Todd at the Emirates Arena in the East End
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