MORAY bore a special place in the heart of Her Majesty throughout her long reign.

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The Queen, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 1986 at Balmoral, was a frequent visitor to the region throughout her reign, last visiting in 2014, along with the Duke of Edinburgh, when RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks were the destination.

In earlier years, the monarch made many visits to Moray to visit her children at Gordonstoun, a school which Prince Philip himself attended.

The Queen made two visits to the Buckie area, the first in 1961 and the second in the summer of 1982.

In August 1961 she and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh landed at Macduff harbour and travelled along the coast stopping at many villages and towns, including Banff, Cullen and Portknockie. Large crowds turned out to greet the Queen and Duke at every stop on their route.

Twenty-one years were to pass before the royal couple were in the area again, paying a visit to Jones's Shipyard and Fishermen’s Memorial in Buckie.

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