Members of the public and politicians have expressed their disappointment at the news, less than two years after the 2012 Olympic torch relay also bypassed the town.

Jackie Baillie, the area’s MSP, said the news was ‘disappointing’ for locals. She added: “After missing out in 2012, I think most local people would have expected the baton to pass through Helensburgh and Lomond, particularly when the Games are taking place much closer to home this time.

“Although most of the sporting events are in Glasgow, everyone wants to get involved with the Games and this would have been an ideal opportunity for schools, community groups and local residents in the area to take part in this summer’s celebrations. Nevertheless I am sure that there will be a lot of exciting activity planned.” Councillor Vivien Dance, policy lead for tourism said people in Helensburgh and Lomond would have given the participants ‘a very warm welcome’.

She said: “It does always seem that the organisers of these routes do not want to detour from the main A82 when in our area, but we are well aware of this problem with all visitors and tourists, the few miles detour from the trunk road seems to be a barrier to our involvement in many national events.” Councillor George Freeman said the exclusion was a ‘major disappointment’.

He added: “It is concerning that our communities are prevented from seeing the baton in their home town for the Commonwealth Games that are virtually being held on our own doorstep. It angers me that yet again, we see the Helensburgh and Lomond area being overlooked.” Following the announcement of the route on Monday, Argyll and Bute Council quashed speculation that the ongoing CHORD works put-off event planners.

A spokeswoman said: “Works in Helensburgh had no bearing whatsoever on the route decision.

“The route through Argyll and Bute has to fit in with the baton’s overall journey through Scotland. Argyll and Bute will have it for one day, after it comes from Highland and before it travels on to Inverclyde. The route was agreed with Glasgow 2014 as the only logistically viable one for the convoy given the restraints of time and geography.

“The baton will enter Argyll and Bute at Appin and leave from Dunoon and the council advised on how best to get between those places without double-backing and within the time allowed.” The baton will visit Argyll and Bute on Sunday, July 13, setting off from Appin and travelling to Oban, Lochgilphead, Inverary and finishing up in Dunoon.

Residents in nearby West Dunbartonshire will also be able to get a glimpse of the baton on Friday, July 18, as it passes through Clydebank, Dalmuir, Old Kilpartick, Bowling, Dumbarton, Renton, Alexandria, and Balloch.

A Glasgow 2014 spokesperson said the route was planned in conjunction with Commonwealth Games Scotland and all 32 local authorities, with the aim of sharing the event with as many people as possible.

They said: “The Queen’s Baton journey through Scotland has been developed to share the excitement of Glasgow and Scotland’s countdown to the Commonwealth Games with as many people as possible. With 400 communities being visited over 40 days, this is the most engaging relay the nation has ever seen.

“For the first time in the history of any relay, all secondary schools have been asked to nominate a student batonbearer, meaning even more communities are represented.” There is still a chance residents from Helensburgh and Lomond may feature in the relay when, on March 31, those nominated as batonbearers find out if they have been successful.