THE Red Hot Chilli Pipers will bring the Queen’s Baton Relay to a rousing climax at the end of its North Ayrshire tour this evening (July 15).

The world’s most famous bagpipe band will have the tempo at fever pitch at a giant seafront party in Ardrossan.

South Beach will come alive around teatime to a stirring mix of rock anthem classics and lively Scottish jigs and reels.

An expected crowd of 5,000 will welcome the last of 126 batonbearers as the iconic symbol of international friendship reaches the end of its day-long journey through North Ayrshire.

The baton will be received by Provost Joan Sturgeon and Commonwealth Games board member Louise Martin after hordes of well-wishers will have greeted it at ten locations in the area.

Ardrossan’s grand finale celebration starts earlier in the day at 3pm while the baton is being escorted from town to town.

Live support bands will get the musical entertainment underway on a huge stage on the grassy seafront arena.

The skirl of the pipes will also be heard later in the proceedings when Arran Pipe Band leads a parade of 300 islanders along the prom from the ferry port.

A dozen community groups from Arran have taken up an invitation to join the fun and festivities on the mainland.

Overseas visitors will also bring their own national blend of music and dance to the event, furthering the spirit of the “support a second team” initiative which paired North Ayrshire with the Commonwealth territories of Nigeria and St Helena.

Also taking place at Ardrossan seashore will be a range of sports-based activities aimed at all the family.