Paintings by north-east schoolchildren are being used to disguise one of the region’s ugliest eyesores.
Colourful panels were yesterday installed around the old Kirkburn Mill site, on the edge of Peterhead town centre, in preparation for the arrival of the Commonwealth Games baton relay this weekend.
Ten of the 12 images, which all have a sporting theme, have been designed and produced by Peterhead Academy pupils. Another picture is the work of nine-year-old Shonie Strachan, a member of the town’s JogScotland team, while a final image simply reads “Welcome to Peterhead.”
The baton will be brought along West Road, past the derelict mill site, on Sunday evening from 6.15pm. It will then be taken to Catto Park for an evening ceremony, which will feature performances and music by local groups.
All wristbands for the event have now been snapped up and organisers have warned that no one will be allowed into the park without one. However, people are being urged to line the streets and cheer on the baton runners.
During the day, Peterhead will host its annual running festival, which is expected to attract record numbers of competitors. A half marathon will begin at 1pm, while the Shell-sponsored 5k run will start at 1.15pm. A children’s fun run kicks off at 4pm.
The Queen’s Baton Relay starts its tour of Aberdeenshire in Stonehaven on Sunday morning.
It is due to arrive in the north-east at Turriff from 2pm, where it will be carried through High Street, Main Street, Fife Street and Banff Street.
Between 2.25pm and 3.50pm the baton will travel through Banff’s High Street and along the quayside, before getting a lift across the harbour to Macduff where the procession will continue along Crook O’Ness Street, Skene Street and Buchan Street.
The baton will enter Fraserburgh at Watermill Road at 4.20pm and continue onto College Bounds and Denmark Street, before being taken to the town’s Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
Before Peterhead, runners will tour Mintlaw from 5.45-6.06pm, along Station Road and Longside Road.