Sturgeon calls on Scotland to ‘mark our country’s loss’
FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon last night said the “poignant” journey, which will see the Queen’s coffin transported to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, would give the public a chance to come together to “mark our country’s shared loss”.
Details of the route the Queen’s coffin will take from Balmoral to Edinburgh emerged last night.
The cortege is expected to leave the castle on Royal Deeside – where the Queen died on Thursday – at 10am today.
Well-wishers are expected to gather along the route the cortege will take as it travels from Balmoral to the Scottish capital. It will first head to the nearby town on Ballater, where it is expected at approximately 10.12am. It is then expected to arrive in Aberdeen about an hour later, with tributes likely to be paid in the city’s Duthie Park.
Travelling south along the A90, it will then arrive in Dundee at about 2pm.
In Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon and other party leaders in Scotland are expected to observe the coffin as it goes past the Scottish Parliament. From there it will be taken into the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where it will remain for the night.
Transport bosses said an “unprecedented” amount of preparation and planning had gone into drawing up the route, which marks the start of the Queen’s last journey.
Ms Sturgeon stated: “Her Majesty’s death at Balmoral Castle means Scotland has lost one of its most dedicated and beloved servants.
“The grief we have seen across the world has been profound and deeply touching. It will be especially poignant to see Her Majesty’s coffin begin its journey from her Aberdeenshire home to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. This is a chance for people to gather together publicly and begin to mark our country’s shared loss.”
The First Minister added: “We anticipate many, many people will be keen to pay their respects and we ask them to observe public safety messaging to ensure the safety of all.”
Transport Scotland operations manager Stein Connelly warned road closures today could result in delays and disruption. He urged those planning to come to see the coffin on its journey to “plan ahead and use public transport where possible”.
Well-wishers are being asked by police not to leave vehicles by the roadside to ensure public safety. Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said policing has “an important role to play” over the coming days: “Our priority is public safety and we are working with partners, including the UK and Scottish governments, as well as local authorities, to support the delivery of planned events.”