Tain welcomes Princess Anne in old town’s latest royal visit
Charter signed by her great-great-grandfather on show for occasion
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The Royal Burgh of Tain lived up to its regal status yesterday when Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, renewed links her ancestors had with the town.
The princess joined students at Tain Royal Academy as they celebrated 200 years since her great-great-grandfather, King George III, signed a Royal Charter granting permission for a secondary school in the burgh.
She then moved on to re-open Tain Rose Garden, first opened by her grandmother, the late Queen Mother.
At the school she viewed the newly-restored charter and unveiled a specially-produced copy, which is now on permanent display at the school.
Princess Anne thanked the school for the invitation and said the charter was interesting, not only to the school, but also to the locality.
Princess Anne visited several classrooms and met students from various groups throughout the school.
MSP Jamie Stone, from Tain, said: “My children are the seventh generation to have attended. I don’t think there has ever been a royal visit to the school before, so this is a very special occasion.”
Senior girl Lee Durran, 17, of Fountain Road, Tain, started her official duty as cadet to Lord Lieutenant of Ross-shire, Janet Bowen, and was not fazed by the royal visitor.
She said: “I’m looking forward to my new role as cadet, and this royal visit has been very exciting for me.”
At Tain Rose Garden Princess Anne was introduced to all those who had worked tirelessly on the project.
Councillor Alistair Rhind welcomed the royal visitor and reminded the crowd the Queen Mother had first opened the garden in 1966.
Princess Anne acknowledged the transformation to the garden and praised the groups who had worked on it.
She said: “I hope you are all proud. I’m sure my grandmother would have been thrilled.”
Fiona Robertson, project officer of the Tain Initiative, said: “It was a proud day for Tain and all the volunteers who have worked, and continue to work, in the garden.”
Christine Marshland of High Street, Tain, a member of the Tain Task Force, said the Princess Royal showed a genuine interest in the garden work they had done.
Kirsty McLean, of TV’s Beechgrove Garden, who designed the garden, said roses used were ones the Queen Mother had loved.
She said: “Princess Anne liked this mark of respect for her grandmother and was interested in the roses as she is a keen gardener herself.”
The Princess Royal met with volunteers and funders of the Connecting Young Carers group in Tain Parish Church Hall before lunching in Mansfield Castle Hotel.
Her next visit was to the Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie where she visited the Gatehouse and the Cambusavie Unit. Her hectic schedule was completed in Wick where she officially opened the town’s £576,000 marina.
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