EventScotland and the Scottish Government have launched a new project designed to engage local communities ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The £320,000 Games for Scotland programme aims to raise awareness of the Handover Ceremony taking place in Delhi, India, later this summer and will feature a number of music, sporting and dance events. A mini-Commonwealth Games event is to be held in the Shetland Islands as part of the initiative, which will involve all 32 Scottish local councils and aims to bring together people from across the country.

Scottish minister for public health and sport Shona Robison said: "The range of these events will help make the handover a memorable occasion across Scotland and build real excitement and involvement in our communities as we take a significant step to hosting the Games in 2014. "We want to create a lasting legacy from the games and we want to get the country involved. The events will be a chance for Scots all over the country to join in, be inspired and get active."

EventScotland chief operating officer Paul Bush added: "Games for Scotland is a fantastic programme of events which capitalises on the legacy of Homecoming 2009 and builds momentum as we look towards 2014."