Scottish athletes say representing Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games feels unusually personal and emotionally significant, despite also being proud to compete for Great Britain. They describe a warmer, more familiar atmosphere shaped by shared culture, longstanding relationships and the rare opportunity to represent their home nation, particularly ahead of Glasgow 2026.

Olympians and Commonwealth medallists including Eilish McColgan, Ross Murdoch, Jack Carlin, Kirsty Gilmour and Mark Dry say the experience recalls childhood ambitions and local roots. Scotland won 13 gold medals at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, while Glasgow is set to host the event again in 2026.