THE baton's second day in Glasgow included a spectacular zip slide across the Clyde, a trip up the tallest tower in Scotland and an emotional journey through the west end.

Nina Robb, baton firmly in hand and heart in mouth, swooped elegantly across the river from the Finnieston Crane, landing successfully, to the delight and relief of crowds gathered in the early morning sunshine.

The day's festivities had started at the Riverside Museum, with Cycling Scotland's Ian Aitken, the driving force behind Pedal For Scotland, and a stop at Games venue the Hydro, where comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli posed for photographs.

The Glasgow Tower at the Science Centre celebrated its return to public life, having just re-opened following almost four years of problems, by welcoming baton bearers Mary Clare Bancewicz and Paul Rennie-Smith.

Mary Clare, a triathlon coach, passed the baton on to Paul, who has raised tens of thousands for charity during his Army career.

Back on the ground, the baton made its way to Yorkhill Royal Hospital For Sick Children, where singer Susan Boyle took it around the wards.

She admired an impressive display of the children's own home-made batons and told crowds she was "very excited" about the Games coming to Glasgow.

Anyone looking for a clue about the opening ceremony on Wednesday night, however, was disappointed, as the singer did not answer questions about her role alongside Rod Stewart, Nicola Benedetti, Amy Macdonald and thousands of volunteers.

Miss Boyle handed the baton over to senior theatre nurse Kirsten Perry, who works tirelessly for the children in her care and spends her holidays volunteering in Bangladesh, taking part in surgery for those who are poor, and training nurses.

Outside the offices of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, the entire staff turned out to cheer on the baton bearers as they made their way around the Gartnavel Hospital site.

Their passion for the Games, they explained, was driven by their boss, donor services manager Lynne Willdigg, whose son Jonathan Boyd helped design the Games medals.

Seasoned relay watchers Carla and Mia Gelanti, from Robroyston, Glasgow, were delighted to be part of the west end crowds. "This is our third time watching the baton, it's fun," said Carla, 11. Her 10-year-old sister added: "It makes us feel like we are part of the Games."

There were more memorable moments around Glasgow, including a turn in the spotlight for Lord Smith of Kelvin, long-term chairman of the Games, who was born in Maryhill. He took the baton into Firhill Stadium, home of Partick Thistle Football Club.

Crowds flocked to Byres Road as the baton made its way along the busy street, before moving on to communities around Knightswood, Drumchapel, Yoker and Scotstoun.

Charles Inglis, from Jordanhill, was a baton bearer when it passed through Clydebank last week but he had turned up in Glasgow on something of a mission.

"I forgot to get my photo taken with Clyde, the mascot, when I did my turn," he said. "My grandchildren in New Zealand - Callum and Aiden - were furious. So I am here today to get a photo of me with Clyde, to send to them.

"I have loved every second of being part of the relay, it is brilliant for Glasgow and it is something we will never forget."