2025 was my best year EVER and I just know 2026 is going to be even more magical.

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to keep a monthly diary, so I can tell you – my friends – all about the exciting things I get up to on the road to the Games. I can’t wait to take you along on this adventure with me!

January was a total whirlwind. From meeting amazing athletes and learning new skills at the Scottish Judo Championships, to climbing mountains in Glencoe to visiting brilliant pupils in primary schools across Glasgow and even making friends with some MSPs at Edinburgh Castle – talk about hitting the ground running (or galloping)!

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School Visits

After the most wonderful Christmas break, I was so excited to get back to meeting people up and down the country spreading the Glasgow 2026 messages! And what better way to beat the January blues than meeting thousands of brilliant children across Glasgow?

This month, I trotted to a whopping 27 primary schools - and I had the BEST time at every single one! I love telling pupils all about the Commonwealth Games and why they are so special.

This month, I especially loved showing off my Gymnastics and Athletics skills…I must say I think I nailed it!

I simply can’t wait to visit even more schools next month!

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Judo Adventures

I was so lucky to be invited to the Scottish Open Judo Tournament in Largs, where Judokas from all over came to compete. It was amazing to meet them and watch their super-exciting matches!

The moves were fascinating, the skills were unbelievable and I learned so much. I’ve already been practising all the different Judo techniques ahead of the Games this summer.

My favourite is O soto gari!

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Going All In!

This month also marked six months to go until the Games… can you believe it! It feels like just yesterday I was up the Finnieston Crane introducing myself to the world.

To celebrate, I had some very important jobs to do.

First stop: Glencoe! I met some lovely ski instructors and encouraged them to go All In for Glasgow 2026. We even climbed up a snowy mountain together to take an epic photo - phew!

Of course, no trip to Glencoe would be complete without a visit to the famous James Bond, Skyfall photo spot. Magical doesn’t even begin to cover it!

After that busy day, I slept like a baby unicorn… and I needed it, because the very next day I was off to Barshaw Park in Paisley for the official All In launch.

I had the super-important job of leading the fun run warm-up with the awesome Molly and Joe from Paisley Live and just as we got started, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky - that’s unicorn magic, if you ask me!

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A Very Important Unicorn

My final adventure of the month was a trip to Edinburgh Castle to meet some very important people and tell them all about the 2026 Commonwealth Games – and why Glasgow 2026 is going to be the best Games ever.

It was my very first time at the castle and WOW… what an incredible place! I wore my very best gold shoes (obviously) and even enjoyed a wee Highland fling, thanks to an amazing piper.

I met lots of Members of the Scottish Parliament – and even met the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney again! And if you ask me, he is still a huge Finnie fan!

Looking Ahead

What. A. Month!

Thank you to everyone I met throughout January – the best part of my job is meeting so many amazing people everywhere I go. My diary is already packed for February and I can’t wait to share more adventures with you very soon.

Until next time…

Love,
Finnie x