Bearing the torch 'was a special moment I'll never forget'
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THE two Caithness teenagers who were among the chosen few to run with the Olympic torch said it was an experience that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Louis Mackinnon (18), from Milton, and Andrew Sinclair (18), from Wick, were given the honour of carrying the official torch in front of thousands of people in Inverness on Saturday.
The pair are believed to have been the only people in the UK to take on torch-bearing roles at official ceremonies twice following their involvement in carrying the flame at John O’Groats on Sunday.
The former Wick High pupils were chosen to take part in the events due to the amount of volunteering work they have done in the community.
They carried the official torch through the streets of Inverness before handing it over to Sandra Ross who officially lit the Olympic cauldron at the city’s Northern Meeting Park in front of thousands of people.
The pair returned to John O’Groats on Sunday when Andrew walked from the pier at the harbour to the famous signpost where he exchanged the flame with Louis who then ran past the crowd with it.
Andrew said it was a weekend he will never forget.
“The crowds in Inverness were just amazing and I didn’t really know what to expect when I got to John O’Groats but it was great to see so many people,” he said.
“To have the chance to run with the torch in your local community was even more special and it has been an unforgettable two days. I was a bit nervous carrying the torch in Inverness but after that experience I was a bit more confident at John O’Groats.”
His thoughts were echoed by Louis who said that despite being nervous, it was one of the best moments of his life.
“In Inverness, the crowds were lining the streets and I was so nervous about running with the flame that I lost the ability to smile,” he said. “But in my opinion, getting to run with the torch at John O’Groats was even better as it was local people who came to celebrate.
“It is very good that the flame has come to this part of the Highlands. You can see by how many people turned out how much it means.
“I was very nervous running and feared that I might trip up and fall to the ground with the torch with so many people watching.
“Andrew and I were the only people in the whole of the UK who got to carry it twice and it was a special moment that I’ll never forget.”
