CalMac helps deliver King’s Baton to Outer Hebrides in dramatic mid-sea handover
CalMac played a starring role in the dramatic delivery of the King’s Baton to the Outer Hebrides last night, as part of its journey ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Batonbearer and champion cyclist Kerry Macphee, from South Uist, had originally carried the baton aboard MV Loch Seaforth at Ullapool before the vessel made its way to Stornoway.
As the ferry crossed the Minch, the baton’s journey took to the skies when an HM Coastguard helicopter intercepted the vessel and winched a coastguard rescue specialist onto the deck.
In a symbolic handover, CalMac Leading Hand Connor Macdonald presented the baton to winchman Ben Sneddon, who was then lifted back into the helicopter with the baton before it continued its journey to Lewis (you can watch the video here - tracking.calmac.co.uk/tracking/click?d%3Ddow9jTH10r6VMs1DfFzfBGhBkv-6l3xvqtj5yVXYv_i2l0LoAUD22n6txZ7YwWioa38dyJS_66nKzUwPM0bZn9yTe9iYmh4YCRdcoMuHPxJ9DLNhxYnZd3lvxS_pwMD4zcG9wM1_7SamamUU7r2g2YI1&source=gmail&ust=1784294319972000&usg=AOvVaw1p35eDXh8egHBt7wLnC37n">youtube.com/shorts/
The dramatic transfer showcased teamwork between CalMac and HM Coastguard while highlighting the importance of lifeline ferry services in connecting Scotland’s island communities.
The King’s Baton will feature at the opening of the HebCelt Festival in Stornoway today before continuing its tour of Lewis and Harris.
A CalMac spokeswoman said: "It was a real privilege to be part of such a special moment in the baton’s journey to the Outer Hebrides. Seeing the helicopter approach the vessel and watching the baton being handed over in the middle of the Minch was something we’ll never forget."
HebCelt CoOrdinator Carol Ferguson, who first applied for the baton to come to the festival, was delighted to see the handover happen.
She said: “This is a huge deal for HebCelt and the town in general, but the best thing for me is to be able to involve the coastguard, search and rescue teams, and CalMac crew in something this special too.
“They look after our community all year round so it seemed apt that they got to look after the Baton for a time too. It was brilliant to add a little bit of excitement for the passengers aboard, and it’s really created a huge buzz already. The weather has been amazing again today, and we just can’t wait for the party to start.”
The King’s Baton Relay is travelling through communities across Scotland as part of the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which start on July 23.
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