Queen's baton relay destinations revealed before Commonwealth Games

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Moses Kipsiro, the 2010 Commonwealth Double Gold Medalist, holds the Queen's Baton in Uganda in January. Credit: Ismail Kezaala/Sports Inc/Press Association Images

The Queen's baton relay will visit more than 400 communities and pass landmarks such as Loch Ness and the Glenfinnan Viaduct as it tours Scotland.

Organisers have unveiled the list of places it will visit on the final stage of its journey around the globe ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.It will cover 8,000km (4,970 miles) on its 40-day journey which will take it as far north as Brae in the Shetland Islands and as far south as Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway, while it will also visit the Outer Hebrides.

Organisers said the route will showcase the nation's most iconic landmarks and culture, including Skara Brae in Orkney, the Kelpies sculptures in Falkirk and in the Highlands the Glenfinnan Viaduct which featured in some of the Harry Potter films.Sporting highlights on the route include visits to Melrose, the home of Rugby Sevens, a visit to Team Scotland's training camp at the University of Stirling and a stop at the Old Course in St Andrews, dubbed the home of golf.

Godfrey Nyakaana, the 1999 Olympics Gold Medalist, running with the Queen's Baton in Uganda. Credit: Ismail Kezaala/Sports Inc/Press Association Image

Up to 4,000 baton bearers will take part in the Scotland route which will cover all 32 local authorities, culminating in Glasgow for the opening ceremony on July 23.When it arrives in Scotland on June 14 the baton will have been on a 248-day journey through all the other 69 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

The baton will visit schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres on its journey, and will also take part in a ceilidh in Dundee.

On July 23 the message that the Queen placed in the baton will be read at the Opening Ceremony.

Thousands of people will find out on March 31 whether their nominations to become baton bearers have been successful.Commonwealth Games and Sport Minister Shona Robison said it would be an "exciting and dramatic countdown to the Games" while Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said it will signify the "last lap" in preparations.The games take place from July 23 to August 3 and will feature 17 sports, with 4,500 athletes attending.