First Minister Nicola Surgeon has spoken of her pride in Team Scotland at a special reception to officially welcome home the team and congratulate them on their success at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Over 250 athletes, coaches and support staff attended the special event at Stirling Castle, following Team Scotland’s second most successful Games ever.

The 260-strong team won 51 medals in Birmingham – 13 gold, 11 silver and 27 bronze- a record tally only two shy of Glasgow 2014’s total of 53, in a Games which saw more females than males in the squad for the first time and was lead for the first time by a female Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss.

The Commonwealth Games featured an integrated para-sport programme which saw Team Scotland’s para-athletes win more medals than ever before, whilst it was also the first time that more medals were won by female than male athletes.

10 of the 18 sports Scotland competed in returned with a medal, including record hauls at the velodrome and in the pool.

Officially welcoming the team back to Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “The performance of Team Scotland in Birmingham was absolutely inspiring. Not only did they continue our proud record of winning medals at every Commonwealth Games to date, but they delivered one of our best performances yet, and so many memorable moments across a variety of sports.

“Each and every one of Team Scotland’s achievements deserve to be celebrated, and I feel privileged to have been able to recognise their outstanding efforts tonight.”

Attending the event was gold medallist Sarah Adlington who made history by becoming the first Judoka to retain a Commonwealth Games title. Sarah said “As always, it’s great to be a part of Team Scotland and it’s so nice to see people again from Birmingham and all come together again and celebrate.”

George Millar, who became the oldest athlete in Commonwealth Games history to win gold as part of the victorious Para Mixed Pairs team, said “It’s been an absolutely brilliant experience seeing all these people here. All the medal winners and also all the support staff. Meeting the First Minister was quite a thing too.

“My wife took my photograph before I left the house and sent it to all her friends. What a night. It’s been a great finale. An absolutely brilliant finale.”

Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Paul Bush OBE said “We are delighted to be at Stirling Castle tonight to officially recognise and congratulate all of Team Scotland on a hugely successful Games. Whether they are an athlete, coach or support staff, everyone had a role to play in making Birmingham 2022 our most successful Commonwealth Games outside of Glasgow 2014.

“There have been so many highlights from the Games and those moments will live with us all for a long time to come. We are very proud of our total – just two medals shy of our number from Glasgow 2014 with a smaller team. It was beyond our expectations.

“Everyone’s measure of success is different, from gold medal to personal bests, and tonight is a good chance to celebrate all achievements great and small.

Team Scotland will next compete at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023 before setting sights on the next Commonwealth Games in Victoria in 2026.