Aged 7 to 71 and beyond, they were united in grief
SCOTLAND’S outpouring of grief for the Queen continued unabated yesterday with the nation still united in mourning.
Children walked hand in hand past row upon row of flowers to find the perfect spot to lay their floral tributes to the Queen.
Mothers brushed away tears as they read messages written in cards, while fathers bowed their heads in solemn, silent reflection.
Across Scotland the sadness was evident but so, too, was the gratitude for a lifetime of service.
Thousands gathered outside Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
At Balmoral, 71-year-olds Marilyn and William Totten, who live nearby, said: ‘She’s been our Queen all our lives. It will be strange without her but Charles will do a good job. The tribute he paid on Friday was perfect, really.’
Sisters Isla, seven, and Alba, nine, from Banchory, Aberdeenshire, said simply: ‘We wanted to pay our respects and say thank you to her.’
Of those leaving flowers and cards at Balmoral in memory of the Queen, some came bearing Union Flags, others draped tartan shawls around their shoulders and some arrived more formally dressed.
Outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse, one well-wisher referenced the recent TV sketch the Queen performed with Paddington Bear for her Platinum Jubilee in June.
A marmalade sandwich was left inside a zipped plastic bag next to a Paddington Bear at the Palace gates. Pinned to the bear was a note on which was written: ‘The one constant in our lives. An oasis of calm in a world of chaos.’
In Glasgow, mourners queued up to sign a book of condolence opened at the City Chambers, while at Glasgow Cathedral portraits of the Queen were placed on easels as well-wishers offered prayers.
Ministers and priests across the country expressed their sadness at the Queen’s death and offered prayers for the Royal Family.
The Very Rev Professor David
Fergusson, the most senior Royal chaplain in Scotland, said: ‘Living her life within the public gaze, Queen Elizabeth II was the epitome of discretion, integrity and dignity, qualities universally recognised and admired across the nation, the Commonwealth and the world.’
Ayrshire-born violinist Nicola
Benedetti met the Queen in 2013 at Buckingham Palace when she received the MBE for her services to music.
She said: ‘She was incredibly funny, told me of her and her sister having a giggling fit as girls because Yehudi Menuhin was breathing so loudly as he played for them.’ A spokesman for Braemar Mountain Rescue Team, whose patron is
King Charles, said: ‘Her Majesty shared with us a love and appreciation of the Cairngorms and in particular the landscapes of her beloved Balmoral Estate.
‘She will be sadly missed by the Braemar Mountain Rescue Association.’
In Ballater, a knitted tribute to the Queen stood atop a postbox. It depicts the Queen in a grey suit and hat, with a tiny pearl necklace and black handbag. Its card stated: ‘Thank you Your Majesty, made with love.’