Scots queue to sign books of condolence across the country

Scots queued patiently to pay tribute to the Queen yesterday as books of condolence opened across the country.

In Glasgow, a book opened by The Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, sat beside a huge portrait of Elizabeth II in the Satinwood Suite of the City Chambers.

Dozens of floral tributes were also laid outside the council building, which is flying the Union flag at half-mast.

It was a place the Queen visited, notably on June 25, 1953, days after her coronation, when she arrived in an open-top car with Prince Philip.

Margaret Hay, 80, remembers celebrating the coronation in Govan in 1953 when she was 11 years old. “It was a glorious day,” she said. “The trestle tables were laid and there was a lovely spread. We sat side by side in the sunshine with neighbours from Harmony Row.

“I had to come down to the City Chambers today and pay tribute to the Queen because she was such an important figure in all of our lives.”

Carol Muir, 61, a retired bank manager from Baillieston, tearfully said: “I’m incredibly emotional because she was a huge part of my life, all of our lives. She was everyone’s mum, everyone’s granny.”

Vicky Stein, from Glasgow’s south side, who came to sign the book with husband, Sammy, said: “The Queen set a wonderful example for us all of how to selflessly put others first. She was incredibly faithful to the role of head of state.”

Council-run buildings and some churches have opened books of condolence, including at Dundee and Perth council chambers. Edinburgh council has an online book as has the Royal Family at royal.uk.