Mystery 1970 Commonwealth Games mascot uncovered
A new exhibition being held to chart more than 80 years of Scotland’s involvement in the Commonwealth Games unearthed the previously unknown character from the 1970 Games, which took place in Edinburgh.
The exhibition, curated by the University of Stirling archives, started a tour of Scotland earlier this year and has seen its contents grow as members of the public donate their own memorabilia.
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Hide AdOne of the items added to the collection was the unofficial Humpty Dumpty-like mascot from the 1970 Games.
Official mascots were not introduced to the Commonwealth Games until host country
Canada presented grizzly bear Keyano to the world during the Edmonton Games in 1978.
However, attempts had been made by organisers to create one for Edinburgh following the success of the 1966 World Cup Willie mascot, and drawings were produced for a kilted haggis character with the working name of Wee Mannie.
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Hide AdGames chiefs held a high-profile publicity launch in July 1969, followed by a competition for schoolchildren to name the mascot, but the idea was dropped after organisers received 23 letters of complaint about the design and later claimed the official crest was more popular.
However, this did not stop the Scottish team creating its own unofficial mascots. On the track, the athletics team adopted a huge teddy bear dressed in a navy vest, shorts and a tartan scarf.
The other unofficial, newly discovered mascot is a home-made creation donated by the family of the late William Carmichael – the then director of the 1970 Organising Committee.
It is now on display alongside Clyde and the 1986 mascot – a Scottie dog called Mac – at the exhibition.
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