It's official – the Olympic Flame has landed on British soil. Now the countdown is on until the London 2012 Olympic Torch enters South Ayrshire on Friday 8 June.
The Olympic Torch started its historical 70-day, 8,000-mile journey around the UK on Saturday 19 May after HRH The Princess Royal accepted the Flame at the Handover Ceremony in Athens the previous day. The Torch is set to arrive in South Ayrshire at Ballantrae at 7.06am on Friday 8 June.
A relay of 38 official Torchbearers will get their moment to shine as they carry the Torch through the area for almost three-and-a-half hours, giving thousands of Ayrshire residents the chance to see the Olympic Torch right on their doorstep.
All eyes will be on South Ayrshire on the morning of Friday 8 June – making this our moment to show the world a warm South Ayrshire welcome as the Torch is carried through our towns and villages, past our breathtaking coastline, stunning scenery and world famous Burns heritage.
Local communities are being encouraged to line the streets on the morning of 8 June to welcome the Torch and applaud the efforts of the Torchbearers, who were all nominated by the public to carry the Torch for their individual achievements.
The pupils of Ballantrae Primary will be among the first people in Scotland to welcome the Olympic Torch as it passes through the village just after 7am. The Torchbearers will carry the Torch the streets of Ballantrae – they will then travel to Girvan, Turnberry, Maidens, Kirkoswald, by Carrick Academy in Maybole, past the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum at Alloway and in to Ayr, where it will travel down the High Street, before being carried along New Bridge Street, King Street and along Whitletts Road.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has devised the Torch route so that it is taken within ten miles of more than 95% of the population. The route through South Ayrshire will give many thousands of people the once in a lifetime chance to see the Torch at close range.
South Ayrshire Provost Helen Moonie said: "The countdown is on for our communities to get ready to welcome the Olympic Torch to South Ayrshire. Friday 8 June will be a memorable and momentous day for everybody – and we want our local communities to come out and give the Torch a truly Scottish welcome as it travels through the area. Our nominated Torchbearers are carrying the Torch for South Ayrshire – so let's all get behind them and applaud their efforts as they relay the Torch through our area."
Anyone wishing to see the Torch Relay in South Ayrshire should arrive at their chosen spot in plenty of time before the Torch is expected to arrive in order to get a good vantage point. Suggested public viewing points have been identified along the route to give people the best possible chance to see Torch from a safe and secure viewing position.
Information on the Olympics Torch Relay in South Ayrshire – including the street-by-street details and timings.