A beacon will be lit at Dumbarton Castle as part of a range of activities and events marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee later this year.
The light – traditionally a symbol of hope – will be lit in unison with more than 1,500 in other areas all over the United Kingdom at 9.45pm on Thursday, June 2.
In West Dunbartonshire, it will be positioned high over at ceremonies expected to take place at landmark Dumbarton Castle.
Alongside the ceremony, which marks Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years as monarch, a programme of events for schools and early learning and childcare centres to participate in has also been created.
These include the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, which will see a number of new trees planted in every educational establishment in the area and a Get Growing event which will encourage schools to sow, grow and share vegetables with their communities.
The West Dunbartonshire Council Big Jubilee Lunch will also take place between June 5 and June 9 using food grown by pupils.
Bailie Denis Agnew, convener of the council’s cultural committee, said: “This will be a historic moment, as it is the first time any British monarch has celebrated a Platinum Jubilee, and so we are delighted to participate in the celebrations.
“Whether it is taking in live music in our parks or helping local schools grow vegetables, we want all residents to have the opportunity to enjoy the event.”
Councillors discussed the plans at a cultural committee meeting last week, where they considered having two beacons instead of one.
The other beacon would have been lit at the Titan Crane in Clydebank but members felt that there was no need for both as the two towns are no longer in separate burghs.
Council leader Jonathan McColl, vice convenor of the committee, said: “While I don’t have an issue with the recommendations as they are, I think what you are saying is perfectly sensible.
“One of the things I really dislike in the nearly 15 years I have been a councillor, is this need to duplicate things in each of the two main towns as somehow it is still two separate burghs.
“I am minded to support the suggestion of one beacon at Dumbarton Castle which is one of three royal castles in Scotland.”
The beacon will cost £490 and be stored away and kept for future occasions.
Other plans will see council employees from the Instrumental Music Service perform a live selection of music in a West Dunbartonshire park, on string, woodwind and brass instruments, and West Dunbartonshire Jubilee Walks and Cycle Tours which will encourage pupils to visit areas of historic and natural significance.
Children and young people will also be encouraged to get creative with art and poetry for the West Dunbartonshire Schools Queens Jubilee Poetry Competition and Exhibition, with winning entries put on display.
Friday, June 3 will be a day of closure to honour the occasion.
Councillor McColl added: “As a council we have committed to an ambitious target of being net zero by 2045.
“Participating in the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative of planting more trees around West Dunbartonshire educational establishments will leave a legacy which supports that vision.”
Council leader Jonathon McColl agreed with the suggestion as he felt that the council shouldn’t need to duplicate everything across the constituency.
Councillor McColl said: “While I don’t have an issue with the recommendations as they are, I think what you are saying is perfectly sensible.
“One of the things I really dislike in the nearly 15 years I have been a councillor, is this need to duplicate things in each of the two main towns as somehow it is still two separate burghs.
“I am minded to support the suggestion of one beacon at Dumbarton Castle which is one of three royal castles in Scotland.”
Celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee long weekend will take place from Thursday, June 2 until Sunday, June 4.
