King’s Baton Visits Calanais Standing Stones Visitor Centre as Glasgow 2026 Relay Reaches the Outer Hebrides
The new Calanais Standing Stones Visitor Centre was proud to welcome the King’s Baton on 16 July as the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games King’s Baton Relay visits the Outer Hebrides.
The Baton’s arrival at Calanais forms part of a reimagined relay that will see it visit more than 50 events and communities across Scotland in the 23 days leading up to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. Rather than travelling continuously from town to town, this year’s relay adopts a new hub-and-spoke model, allowing more communities to take part in celebrations across the country.
As one of Scotland’s most iconic heritage sites, Calanais provides a fitting setting for the King’s Baton, bringing together Scotland’s ancient past with the excitement of one of the nation’s biggest sporting events. The visit also offers an opportunity to showcase the new Calanais Standing Stones Visitor Centre, which celebrates the remarkable story of the 5,000-year-old standing stones and the unique cultural heritage of the Isle of Lewis.
Kenny Maclennan, Board Member for Urras nan Tursachan, The standing Stones Trust said, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the King’s Baton to Calanais. The Standing Stones have brought people together for thousands of years, making this an incredibly special place to celebrate the values of community, culture and connection that sit at the heart of the Commonwealth Games.
“The relay’s visit also provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase our new Visitor Centre and to welcome people from across the world to experience the history, landscape and living culture of the Outer Hebrides.”
The Calanais Standing Stones and Visitor Centre experience is a partnership between Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Urras Nan Tursachan (UnT); where the monument is a property-in-care managed by HES and the visitor centre managed by UnT.
Katey Boal, Head of North Region at Historic Environment Scotland, said:
“It’s wonderful that the Calanais Standing Stones have been able to be a part of the King’s Baton Relay, bringing together Scotland’s past and present with a brilliant celebration of sport. We’re really pleased to be able to showcase one of the country’s iconic historic sites, with events like this demonstrating how our heritage continues to play an invaluable part in the story of Scotland.”
This multi-million-pound project has been brought to fruition through funding from the UK and Scottish Governments via the Islands Growth Deal, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, alongside key support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. This funding was designed not just for a new building, but also to generate long-term economic and cultural benefits for the entire Outer Hebrides.
The King’s Baton Relay began on 1 July at Team Scotland’s Team Camp in Glasgow and will visit communities and events across the country before the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. Major stops include the Luss Highland Games, Glasgow Mela, the Scottish Open, Orkney’s International Island Games celebrations, the HebCelt Festival and the British National Mountain Biking Championships.
For more information on planning a visit, including tickets and opening hours, please visit www.calanais.org.
