THE Commonwealth Games baton had a lot of company on the first part of its trip through Gretna.
As well as all the usual security and crowds of school pupils, there were two horses called Hustle and Hobo, a couple who had just eloped from England and a Hollywood celebrity.
Day six of the Queen's Baton Relay started in Langholm with the former Olympic and Commonwealth pole vaulter David Stevenson among the baton bearers before moving on to Gretna, where the tradition of the Games met the tradition of marriages held in the old blacksmith's shop.
The celebrity was actress Ashley Jensen, who grew up in nearby Annan. She had assumed she would have to run or walk her 200m with the baton like everyone else, but instead was taken by horse and carriage. In the back with her were Damone Barnes and Sally Virginia Eastmond, who were getting married later in the day.
It was all a bit overwhelming for the Surrey couple, but the horses did not put a shoe wrong. They also got a loud welcome from 90 pupils from the local primary schools, Kirkpatrick Fleming and Springfield. Over the sound of the horses' hooves, the children sang the Commonwealth anthem Here's To All Our Commonwealth.
Ms Jensen said: "All I did was smile and sit on the carriage, but it was amazing. I didn't really know what to expect, but it felt like it symbolised so much: it has been all around the world and so many hands have touched it, the same baton. My mum said, 'Aren't there a few batons?' and I said, 'No, there's just one'. And that's the point. It felt humbling knowing how many people have touched it."
The 44-year-old, who has starred in TV shows Ugly Betty and Extras, was also impressed with how many of the carriers did good work locally. "I was thinking, 'I'm just a wee actress', but some of these people here are doing amazing work within the community and are often not really acknowledged," she said.
She added: "When they asked me to do it, they showed me the slots and times and asked what would fit in, but I said I would like to do it in my home area. This is where I am from and when I was at school here, I was into athletics. I did the 100m and the relay and the long jump and was really good, though I say it myself."
The actress also believes in the idea of a legacy from the Games and that they and the relay should be about trying to inspire children to try sport. "Kids can be a bit more into their iPads and computers now," she said. "I've got a wee boy and it's important to get them involved in a sport and try different sports and see which one fits them."
The couple who accompanied Ms Jensen were also inspired by the relay, even though their involvement was a late addition.
"It was pure chance we booked today," said Ms Eastmond, 49. "They phoned us last Tuesday and said, 'The relay is going through the town, would you take part?' and we said, 'Yes, we'd love to, it would be a privilege'."
She and her groom also admitted their involvement would come as a surprise to their friends and relatives because they had come to Gretna to get married without telling anyone.
"We wanted to get married in Gretna so we could do it the old-fashioned way," said Mr Barnes, 52. "We're not 16 but we still feel it. I am hoping the family will see it our way and do not take it personally."
After Gretna, the baton moved on to Eastriggs and then Dumfries, where there was a big turnout. Along the route, one group of children held up letters that spelled the name of the town but the girls holding D, U and M got tired so for most of the time it read F R I E S.
But it didn't matter because the atmosphere was warm and all along the route it felt like civic Scotland had shown up in force.
Among the baton bearers in Dumfries was Molly Coxon, captain of a local ice skating team, and Hope Robertson, who has worked as coach for athletes with special needs.
Among the crowds was Cameron Duff, 38, from Dumfries, who had brought his eight-year-old son James along to see the baton. "We have loved the whole atmosphere today. We don't have tickets for the Games so I suppose today is a way to take part."
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