Swimmer Scott proud to carry flag after six medal haul

Duncan Scott helped bring Team Scotland’s most successful overseas Commonwealth Games to a close as the flagbearer at yesterday’s closing ceremony.

Stirling swimmer Scott picked up six medals in the pool – the most for a Scottish athlete at a single Games – and led the country back into the Carrara Stadium after the final day of competition.

He said: “To be the flag bearer was a complete honour.

“It is not something many people get the chance to do.I’m delighted with how I have performed up against the best in the world.

“It’s been great to show how much quality we have in Scottish Swimming.”

Scotland picked up two bronze medals on the penultimate day of competition on Saturday.

Kirsty Gilmour overcame a semi-final loss to India’s Saina Nehwal to return to the court and claim the badminton bronze match against Canadian Michelle Li.

Facing the opponent who beat her in the 2014 final, Gilmour took the first game 21-11 and got over the line with a 21-16 win in the second.

She said: “This is overwhelming – a combination of happiness and relief.

“It was difficult as my semi-final was so close and I fought so hard – I’ve never been in the position where I’ve had to go again.”

Middle-distance athlete Jake Wightman ensured Scotland would have something to celebrate in the final night of athletics as he claimed bronze in the final of the 1,500 metres.

Finishing behind Kenya’s Elihah Manangoi and Timothy Cheruiyot, Wightman crossed the line in 3:35.97.

He said: “After missing out on a medal in the 800 I knew I had to come here and get one – I just trusted myself on the last lap.

“I knew the Kenyans were going to be tough to beat and that it would probably be a scrap for bronze but I’m so glad it’s come off like it has.”

After a 103-46 defeat by Australia in the semifinals of the men’s basketball, Scotland dropped into the bronze medal match against New Zealand yesterday where they were again defeated, losing 79-69.

Scotland captain Kieron Achara said: “We had some unbelievable spells in the game, we clawed our way back.

“We came out here to medal and we didn’t achieve that but I’m so proud of the guys.

“What we brought to this tournament, being underdogs, we had that grit, we had that determination, we all made our country proud.”

Kirsty Gilmour: Bronze in badminton