A bid to hold the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026 has met a potential sticking point over security costs and arrangements for the event, The Herald can reveal.

A decade on from the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, there are hopes the event could come back to Glasgow in 2026.

Last year, the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as the host of the 2026 games because of rising costs, and earlier this year Singapore and Malaysia both ruled out taking over as hosts.

A last resort plan of holding a scaled-down version in Glasgow has since been mooted.

Former first minister Humza Yousaf was earlier this year keen to explore the idea saying  "sensible ideas" had been suggested to him, but wouldn't go as far as committing to any of them.

However, his successor John Swinney has appeared less enthusiastic about the prospect of the games returning to Scotland.

It is now understood security costs and planning are a concern for the Scottish Government with officials hoping to secure support from the UK Government.

The military were involved in supporting arrangements at the 2014 event, for instance, when the late Queen Elizabeth attended the Opening Ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns)

Members of the armed forces members also carried out bag checks at venues. It is not known what level of security is being proposed for the 2026 games - with the event less than two years away.

"For the Scottish Government there is a wider question about what they are being asked to do by Team Scotland the Commonwealth Games Federation...At some level they will want to know what sort of back up they would be getting," a source told The Herald.

"It was not really possible for progress to be made on these issues until after the election".

The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was backed by significant public funding, though that also paid for a refurbished athletics stadium as well as a new aquatics centre.

The First Minister told the Scotsman last month: "We had a tremendously successful Commonwealth Games in 2014 - it was a celebration of sport within Scotland.

"However it was planned over a number of years. We've got to look carefully at the propositions that have been put to us about the possibility of hosting another Commonwealth Games.

"Obviously time would not be on our side to prepare for that, but we'll be engaging constructively on that."

He added "theoretically the window is still open" to Scotland hosting the games, but said the time constraints were "very, very limited".

The First Minister added: "We have six years of preparatory time in relation to 2014.

"While I am as enthusiastic as the next person about sporting events and the significant benefit they can bring to the country, we've got to ensure they can be done properly."

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 are still regarded as one of the most successful games to date with visitors from across Scotland, the UK and the overseas flocking to the city with businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants seeing a boom in trade by the influx of people over the ten days of the event.

It is understood there is also concern among some in the city that hosting a smaller games could invite negative and unfair comparisons with the event in 2014.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Commonwealth Games is a hugely important event for athletes and we support the continuation of a sustainable and successful games.

“The 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was recognised locally, nationally and internationally as an outstanding fortnight of sporting and cultural events. 

"The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed it is seeking to refresh and reset the Games to ensure a sustainable future. This process is ongoing and we continue to engage with Commonwealth Games Scotland and the CGF."

The CFG said: "We are continuing to work with relevant partners on confirming the plans for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and we will provide an update as soon as possible." 

Sources in the UK Government have told The Herald that the UK is proud to have hosted the Commonwealth Games twice in the past decade, including in Glasgow in 2014 and in Birmingham in 2022.

"There are ongoing conversations about future hosting options, including those between Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Scottish Government. We hope that the Commonwealth Games Federation continues to explore all possibilities to secure the Games future," said an insider.

Team Scotland was approached for comment.