The Olympics comes to Cairneyhill, 13th June

Moment to Shine, Olympic Torch Relay, Cairneyhill, 13th June 2012, a photo by SwaloPhoto on Flickr.

2012 and it was London's turn to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for a 3rd time.  The games are always preceded by a Torch Relay and this one was to last for 70 days; from 19th May to 27th July.  Approximately 8000 people were to carry the torch a total of 8000 miles (12800 km), starting from Land's End, Cornwall, travelling all the way up to The Shetland Isles before travelling south again, arriving at the Olympic Stadium in London in time for the Games' Opening Ceremony.  The plan was to have the torch pass within one hour's travelling time for 95% of the UK's population so that as many people as possible would have the chance of seeing it.  A wide range of people were to carry the torch around the country, mostly local heroes from the towns and cities that it would pass through, but also sports and other celebrities and military service personnel.

The 2012 Olympic Torches were designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby and made of an aluminium alloy.  They were 80 cm / 31" high, weighed 800 gms / 1.8 lbs. and contained 8,000 holes to represent the 8000 torchbearers who would carry them. The holes helped to keep down the weight, dissipate heat without it being conducted down the handle and provide extra grip.  They were tested to withstand all likely weather conditions, from high winds, rain and snow as the relay was to include the summit of Snowdon, the highest mountain in the UK outside Scotland, as part of its journey.

BBC Torch Relay Broadcast vehicle

The BBC were providing TV coverage of the whole of the Torch Relay with 'live' feeds on one of their digital channels.  It had been well supported too with thousands upon thousands of people out on the streets to see a fleeting glimpse of the torch as it passed through.  

So, Day 26 of the Torch Relay, 13th June, and the route was:  St Andrews, Milnathort, Kinross, Crook of Devon, Alloa, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Stirling, Cumbernauld, Larbert, Camelon, Falkirk, Skinflats, Cairneyhill, Crossford, Dunfermline, Hopetoun House, Broxburn, Edinburgh.  The St Andrews leg was to include the torch being carried on West Sands Beach in a recreation of the famous scene filmed on this beach for the film 'Chariots of Fire'.

Cairneyhill, Fife.  Population, about 2500.  A small village west of Dunfermline, on the A994.  Nothing happens in Cairneyhill, except the Gala Day in June.  We have lived here since 1996.  Today the Olympic Torch Relay was coming to town on its way to Edinburgh.  A big deal for the village.  The BBC had estimated that the Relay would arrive here between 1pm and 3pm.  It would be a walk down to the end of our street, along a private lane and out onto the main road.  A distance of 150 metres / 500 ft, that's all.  It would take a few minutes.  I was sure there would be plenty of room too.

The crowds are gathering along Main Street

 So I made my way along to the main street with camera and a couple of lenses, after looking at the feed on the web saying the Relay had left Skinflats.   Arriving on the main street there were already thousands of people lining the street. Quite a few deep.  I wasn't expecting this.  This is Cairneyhill after all.  At the same time,  I was very proud that the turnout was as high as it was.  It was great!  There were signs for temporary Car Parks,  vendors selling Union Jack flags,  bunting between the lamp-posts (it had been the Gala Day the previous weekend) and a carnival atmosphere ensued.  Even the sun was out.   

Outriders with the first cavalcade of supporting vehicles behind

 I crossed over to the other side of the street and waited along with everyone else.  The action would come from the west, from the big roundabout on the main road to the Kincardine Bridge.  First to appear were Police motorcycle outriders followed by the first cavalcade.  This included sponsors floats from Samsung and Coca-Cola, together with a BMW car in the official 'Olympic Torch Relay / Moment to Shine' livery of gold and white.  They came through quite slowly with loud speakers proclaiming that the torch was 6 minutes away.

The supporting acts arrive on Main Street

Outrider

Soon enough it was time for the main event.  More Police outriders first, then a surge as the crowd moved out, spilling over the kerbs for a better view and the chance of a photo or two.  I got down low to avoid the heads and elbows of everyone else from getting in the way.  Schoolchildren were waving flags and cheering.  

The BBC Live Broadcast van, again in the offical 'Olympic Torch Relay / Moment to Shine' livery went by and right behind, flanked by the police escort runners was Cameron Walker with the Olympic Torch in his right hand.  It was his 'Moment to Shine'.  He has cystic fibrosis but has completed some of the hardest endurance events in Europe including the Ben Nevis Triathlon, Lochalsh Ultra Marathon, Land's End to John O' Groats by bike, Loch Ness Marathon and Caledonian ETAPE. I nearly forgot to press the shutter but managed a few shots before he disappeared further up the Main Street to the cheers and clapping of the flag waving crowd. 

Cameron Walker's 'Moment to Shine'

His relay leg was over further along as he handed over to David Hilton who has overcome three brain tumours and is a volunteer speaker for MacMillan Cancer Support.  At the end of the village the Relay goes into Convoy Mode again for the short journey to Crossford, another small village, where more bearers will run with the torch.  They are in for a treat.

So, its all over.  In slightly under 10 minutes.  The Olympics passes through Cairneyhill.  The BBC said on their Olympic Torch Relay blog -  "Lovely big crowd waiting for the torch in Cairneyhill".  Now its disbursing.  Back to the schools and homes and other villages in the area.  A Moment of History witnessed by thousands.  I'll not see the torch again in my lifetime, nor will the UK get the Games again in my lifetime.  Quite an event.  

Update - September 2012

As for the Games, they were the best ever.   From the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and everything in between.  In total Britain won 29 Gold, 17 Silver and 19 Bronze medals - the best medal haul since the 1908 Olympics,  in London.  

Every Games needs a defining moment.  In London there were many.       

Usain Bolt defended his 100 metres and 200 metres sprint titles and won a 3rd Gold with the Jamaican 100 metre sprint relay team.  He is now a self proclaimed 'living legend'.  Few would disagree.  Probably the Games most defining moment and backed up by Mo Farrah who won the mens 5000 metre and 10000 metre titles.  

Bradley Wiggins won the mens individual time trial to go with his Tour de France win, Andy Murray won the Olympic tennis title at Wimbledon and Sir Chris Hoy won his 6th Gold cycling medal to become Britain's most successful Olympic Champion.  

There were so many great moments, not all of them human too.  Horses were dancing to classical music, perfectly.  It was brilliant.  

All images can be viewed on my Flickr site by clicking on my Flickr badge or clicking on the headline picture.

Satellite map of Cairneyhill is provided below:

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