A unicorn named after an iconic Clydeside landmark has been unveiled as the mascot for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games next year.
Finnie, the Glaswegian unicorn, was revealed at the top of the city’s Finnieston Crane, which is also her namesake, to mark a year to go until the games.
The mythical mascot was created with the help of 76 children from 24 schools throughout Glasgow. They decided that Finnie should be a unicorn due to its uniqueness as Scotland’s national animal
Finnie’s horn is inspired by the famous traffic cone on top of the Duke of Wellington statue outside Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern of Art, as a nod to the city’s renowned sense of humour.
The silver flashes on her shoes pay homage to the Clyde’s shipbuilding history and the unicorn’s earring is inspired by Glasgow’s coat of arms.
Her purple mane is inspired by the bright lights of Games-time venue The Hydro, and the sparkling stars on her arms and nose represent the Barrowland Ballroom.
Finnie will also wear a friendship bracelet created by the school children and has adopted a heart-shaped gesture as her signature move.
The mascot is due to meet Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jaqueline McLaren.
Finnie said: “I’ll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance.
“I’m here to turn the nerves into excitement, stir the cheers and help turn every moment into something magic as Glasgow 2026 swings into the city.”
St Patrick’s Primary School pupil, Maskeen Bhullar, has been inspired by his part in creating the mascot for the upcoming games.
The 11-year-old said: “It has been an extraordinary experience being part of the Mascot Maker team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“The last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow I was one year old. I want to be an athlete one day and take part in a future Commonwealth Games.
“Being involved in creating the mascot has inspired me even more to work towards that dream. To me, the mascot represents my city, Glasgow, and stands as a symbol of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It’s something I’ll always feel proud to have contributed to.”
Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty OBE added: “Finnie represents everything Glasgow 2026 is about – fun, friendliness and of course that little bit of magic.
“She’ll be at the heart of everything that’s exciting about these Games, from building up the crowd to hyping the athletes. She’ll visit communities across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond, and bring them all together next summer.
“It means so much that she comes from the imaginations of Glasgow’s young people. They have all been fantastic throughout this process and introducing Finnie to the world is the perfect way to start the countdown to these altogether brilliant Games.”
Speaking following Finnie’s reveal, First Minister John Swinney said: “This is a landmark day in the preparations for the Commonwealth Games, a year to go, and the young people of Glasgow have created the new mascot for the Commonwealth Games in 2026. Named Finnie, joined together so many of the different iconic emblems of Scotland.
“But crucially, with a landmark icon of Glasgow, the cone from the Duke of Wellington statue. So it’s a wonderfully creative, joyful, hopeful, empathetic mascot that the young people have created and I’m sure it will bring much joy and much celebration to the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
The Games are on budget. They are well prepared for. Glasgow 2026 have done a superb job in undertaking the preparatory work that is required.
“Of course they are able to build on a lot of very good infrastructure that’s here already as legacy from 2014, but where there’s requirements for significant improvements in infrastructure, such as at the Scotstoun Stadium, that work is now currently underway to prepare for that to be ready for the Games in 2026.
“So I’m confident that the organising team here in Glasgow have done a very good job in making sure that the preparations are in place and that the Games can be realised in the summer of 2026.”
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