Her Majesty the late Queen made many a visit to the Stirling area over her 96 years both as a monarch and as a princess and heir to the throne.
Whether visiting the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Stirling Castle, delighted crowds at the former Annfield football stadium during her Silver Jubilee Tour, conferring city status to Stirling as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations, or opening the new Forth Valley Royal Hospital, she was afforded a warm welcome.
The official opening of the University of Stirling in 1972 was the nearest her visits came to courting controversy, when a group of protesters demonstrated and threw eggs.
But her most poignant visit was without doubt made in 1996 when she was visibly moved during a visit to Dunblane and Stirling in the aftermath of the tragedy at Dunblane Primary School.
Accompanied by Princess Anne, the Queen spoke with bereaved families within Dunblane Cathedral and also visited staff at Stirling Royal Infirmary as well as young survivors and their parents.
In 2011, however, she returned to give the royal seal of approval to two major local projects.
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Accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, she unveiled a plaque at the new £300 million Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert where she was given a tour and met staff and patients. Her Majesty then went on to view the newly refurbished James V Palace at Stirling Castle and attended a private lunch after locals gave her a warm welcome.
The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 saw her visit many corners of the UK, including Stirling.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty was the star attraction at a two hour celebration at Annfield, the former stadium of Stirling Albion, to mark her 25 years on the throne.
There was a packed programme of events, attended by groups of young people from across the Forth Valley including Brownies and Guides.
Massed pipe bands included the 1st Cadet Band of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 1st Denny and Dunipace Company Boys Brigade Pipe Band, Queen Victoria School Pipe Band and Strathendrick Pipe Band Association among others.
Local groups demonstrated square dancing, netball, volleyball and country dancing.
Raploch Majorettes and St Ninians Community Association Majorettes also performed and there was even a dinghy rigging race by Sea Cadets and a pram race, finishing off with a massed camp fire with Girl Guides, Brownies and Scouts from across Forth Valley, then a parade of colour parties.
The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 saw her visit Stirling in May of that year to formally award its city status. Greeted by Provost Tommy Brookes at Stirling railway station, Her Majesty was to have signed a Royal Warrant in the Municipal Buildings - but with no pen to hand and no time to find one, the Queen had to continue on her itinerary, leaving the document
unsigned.
According to Stirling Council Archives, this was the second time there had been an issue with pens and royalty in Stirling.
On a Scottish tour with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1962, the Queen was invited to sign the visitors’ book in the Stirling County Council offices at Viewforth - however, the pen would not write.
But - after an awkward silence - she produced one from her famous handbag.
