JOHN Swinney has met the new mascot for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Described as a “proud Glaswegian unicorn”, mascot Finnie made her debut posing for pictures on top of the Finnieston Crane – her namesake and a landmark on the city’s skyline.
Organisers made the announcement as they mark one year to go until the Games get under way.
The First Minister met with Finnie atop the Radisson Red hotel, well-known for its rooftop bar with views of Glasgow's iconic riverside.
Finnie was accompanied by the schoolchildren who helped design the mascot.
Other nods to the city’s culture include a silver flash in her shoes to represent shipbuilding and the Glasgow coat of arms on her earring.
Later on Wednesday, she is expected to meet Scottish athletes including Commonwealth 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan.
It was confirmed earlier this month the much-loved 2014 mascot Clyde would not make a reappearance at next year's Games.
Last year, Glasgow was announced as the host of a revamped version of the Games after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out due to rising costs.
🦄 Say hello to Finnie - the official mascot for the #Glasgow2026 Commonwealth Games, designed by local kids and unveiled with a lot of excitement today. One year until yet another world class event begins in Scotland. Let the countdown begin! pic.twitter.com/7bNYxeKw2Z
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) July 23, 2025
The 2026 Commonwealth Games is expected to feature more than 3000 athletes from 74 nations and territories, competing across 10 sports in four venues.
Swinney has previously said the history of the Commonwealth Games and its connection to the British Empire is a "significant issue" the UK and Scotland needs to “face up” to.
However, Swinney argued the Commonwealth was a positive way of bringing countries together at a time of huge conflict across the world.
“As I look at the world today I think the more efforts we’ve got to bring countries together, the better, because the world is a pretty strife-torn place just now, so the more we can bring countries together in collaboration, points of agreement, and working together, albeit in a competitive spirit, the better. I think that’s where the future lies," he said last year.
