With all the pomp and pageantry the occasion demanded, Perth honoured the Queen by presenting her with the keys to Scotland’s newest city on Friday.
The culmination of the Scottish leg of her diamond jubilee tour, the people of Perth turned out in their thousands to witness the historic occasion and voice their thanks for her granting city status.
Blessed by dry weather, a massive crowd thronged Tay Street and the foot of the High Street, intent on catching a catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
Led by a massed pipe band and flanked by police on horses and motorcycle outriders, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived by Bentley to be greeted with cheers from the flag-waving crowds.
The welcoming party included Provost Elizabeth Grant, council chief executive Bernadette Malone, council administration leader Ian Miller, Lord Lieutenant Mel Jameson, Sheriff Principal Alastair Dunlop and Chief Constable Justine Curran.
In a ceremony echoing a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1842, the Queen was presented with the keys to the city and the Duke of Edinburgh was granted the freedom of the city.
Following the ceremony the Queen told the crowd how Scotland has played a special part in her life.
”I have many happy memories of previous visits to Perth, including the opening of the Queen’s Bridge in 1960 and more recently the opening of Perth Concert Hall,” she said.Click here for a full photo gallery”Today, we have great pleasure in visiting the city of Perth at the end of our Scottish tour. I would like to congratulate you all warmly on the restoration of city status.
”It is an accolade that is well earned and Prince Philip and I extend to all of you, to your families both in Perth and the surrounding area of Perthshire and Kinross, our very best wishes for the future and our thanks for welcoming us here so generously today.”
The Queen then went on a short walkabout along Tay Street chatting to the crowds, commenting on the favourable weather.
Among those to have a close encounter was Sandra Paterson, from Perth.
”I had never seen the Queen before, so I sneaked out of the office,” she said. ”She stopped close by when someone presented her with a posy.”
Her friend, Margaret Lafferty, also from Perth, said she had thoroughly enjoyed seeing the royal party at close quarters.
”It was good for her to come here in her jubilee year,” she said.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who was ill recently, looked in good spirits.
Security was strict, keeping the crowds at a respectful distance, but low key.
The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland performed for the Queen before the royal entourage headed off for their next engagement in Perth.
Members of the Society of High Constables of Perth lined the route in their role as the Queen’s bodyguard.
Schools were also to the fore with chosen representatives getting a close-up view of proceedings.
David Walker (17) from Bankfoot (Perth Grammar), Hayley Litster (16), Perth (Perth Academy), Euan Holmes (17), Perth (Perth High) and Lauren Strachan (16), Murthly (St John’s Academy) all had a grandstand view of the ceremonial element of the day.
”It was a great experience,” said David.
Others present included MSP John Swinney, MP Pete Wishart MP and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dr John Hulbert, the former Provost of Perth and Kinross, who was the public face of the city status campaign, said: ”First of all there is the sense of pride pride that city status, which Perth enjoyed for hundreds of years, until it was taken away in 1975, has now been restored.”
From Tay Street the royal couple went on to visit The Black Watch Castle Museum and Perth College UHI, followed by lunch at Scone Palace in the company of “unsung heroes” from the community, many chosen for their outstanding voluntary work.Emotions run high at Balhousie CastleThe eagerly-anticipated royal visit to Perth’s Balhousie Castle proved an emotional experience for all in attendance.
Crowds cheered loud above the skirl of the pipes as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made their way down a line of red hackles towards the landmark museum building.
Coming just a day after it was confirmed The Black Watch had escaped military cuts unscathed, The Queen’s presence was all the more meaningful.
The royal party was met by Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE, chairman of The Black Watch Trustees, and Major (Retd) David McMicking LVO before continuing into the castle to view the collections on display.
Among the items was a portrait of the Queen Mother painted by Polish refugee Von Marientriev in 1940 never before seen by the Queen.
She was also shown the sporran, medals and memorial plaque of her uncle, Fergus Bowes-Lyon, killed in action with the battalion during the First World War.
Major McMicking then presented the plans for the museum’s multi-million-pound redevelopment.
Colonel (Retd) Alex Murdoch, chairman of The Black Watch Association, met the royal couple when they returned outside before introducing them to a number of veterans and serving soldiers.
Private Alan Clunie (26), originally from Kirkcaldy, said: ”I’m just back from my second tour of Afghanistan and to know the Queen is so supportive of our hard work helps a great deal. We serve for Queen and country.”
The Queen, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, then officially unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit.
Lucky Lucy Stewart (seven) was given the honour of presenting the Queen with a hand-picked posy of red roses and thistles.
The proud Goodlyburn Primary School pupil, whose father Allan (32) served with The Black Watch in Iraq, said: ”I was really excited but also a wee bit nervous. The Queen was even lovelier than I expected and I liked her yellow coat.
”She said thank you very much for the pretty flowers I can’t wait to tell all my friends I met her.”
Mum Laura, (29), said: ”I will never forget this day, I had a tear in my eye.”
Sir Alistair commented: ”We are proud that Her Majesty chose to visit Balhousie Castle, the spiritual home of The Black Watch, during her visit to the city of Perth.
”This is a moment of great significance to us as we reflect on our 50 years of history on this site and start to execute a major redevelopment of the museum.”
Lieutenant Colonel Roddy Riddell, regimental secretary and vice-chairman of The Black Watch association, made his way up from Tay Street to meet Her Majesty at the castle.
Lt Col Riddell, who wore the striking uniform of The Royal Company of Archers, said: ”It was great to see so many people turn out today. Her Majesty was in good spirits and seemed quite relaxed and the sun came out for her arrival, which was lovely.”
James Watt, trustee of The Black Watch Museum added: ”It is a happy coincidence that the Queen’s visit coincided with the news that The Black Watch name will be retained.
”It adds to the feeling that The Black Watch is a family of both serving soldiers and veterans.”