Counting down to the games

DRAMATIC IMAGERY from some of Scotland’s most famous views are being used to celebrate One Year To Go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games today.

From the lush greens of St Andrews and breathtaking backdrop of Stirling Castle to the elegance of the Edinburgh skyline, the message Glasgow and Scotland are counting down to the biggest sporting occasion in the nation’s history was writ large in the landscape — with a 16ft inflatable number one.

A series of nine portraits were commissioned by Glasgow 2014, each capturing a different aspect of the nation for next summer’s Commonwealth Games — from its natural beauty, historic landmarks, iconic sporting fields of play to its connections with the games themselves.

Glasgow 2014 ambassador and six-time Olympian and double Commonwealth gold medal winner, Sir Chris Hoy, will kick off the celebrations in Glasgow today by hosting a people’s bike challenge and a breakfast of champions in the city centre.

At the heart of today’s action will be the unveiling of the Glasgow 2014 official ticketing guide — the route to up to one million seats at the heart of the games’ live action, across 17 sports.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, chairman of Glasgow 2014, said: “Today marks an important moment in the journey towards the biggest sporting and cultural festival Glasgow and Scotland has ever hosted.

“I’m delighted to see how the city and the nation are getting set to welcome the world to enjoy our landscape, our friendship and truly great international sport.”

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, added: “People across Scotland and the world will now start planning their journey to witness the biggest international sporting event our country has ever hosted. As these iconic images show, Scotland has a great deal to offer our welcome visitors.”

Picture: John Young. Pictures: John Young. Stirling Castle provides an imposing backdrop.

Picture: John Young. Beside Captain Scott’s ship, the RRS Discovery in Dundee.

Picture: John Young. On the rocky North Queensferry shore.

Picture: John Young. The giant Number One at the Swilcan Bridge, St Andrews.

Picture: Getty Images. Soldiers from the Royal Highland Fusiliers in Penicuik, near Edinburgh.

Pictures: Getty Images. From top: on the beach at Carnoustie, on the River Clyde in Glasgow, on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Cadets from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Regina join in, as do soldiers from the Elite Federation Guard in Canberra, Australia.