Two primary schools and a nursery in the capital are set to close as huge crowds flock to Edinburgh to pay their respects to the Queen. Council chiefs have confirmed that the Royal Mile Primary School and Abbeyhill Primary School will close their doors for 48 hours from September 12.
Cowgate Early Years Centre will also be shut on Monday and Tuesday next week due to a number of emergency road closures in the surrounding area. Children will be offered remote learning instead with parents and carers notified of the closures.
Visitors and residents in the capital are being warned to expect severe disruption in the coming days after Her Majesty passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon aged 96.
In the coming days, her coffin will travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh - the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. From here it will be taken in procession to St Giles' Cathedral, where the Queen will lie at rest for 24 hours, allowing the public to view her coffin.
A statement from Edinburgh City Council said: “We have been advised by the Scottish Government and Police Scotland that a high number of people are expected to come to Edinburgh to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen.
“The Royal Mile and many surrounding roads will be closed during this period. We have written to parents and carers and we'll provide remote learning for affected pupils.”
They added: “We’re working with The Scottish Government and Police Scotland on preparations to accommodate large crowds of visitors in Edinburgh who wish to pay their respects.
“We are expecting significant disruption in the city centre (particularly in the Old Town), including road closures, school closures, public transport diversions and bin collections.”
It is not currently known whether any other schools across Scotland will close during the national mourning period or for the Queen’s funeral.
We previously told how a number of roads in the capital will be closed as preparations for the Queen's final journey remain ongoing.
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