Members of the public have made the trip to Balmoral to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen, at the gates to one of her most treasured places and where she spent her final days.
The 96-year-old died at her Deeside residence on Thursday afternoon following growing concerns for her health.
Earler today, it was announced the Queen’s doctors recommended she remain under medical supervision at the castle.
All of her children travelled up to Aberdeenshire to be with her, alongside other members of the royal family.
Dozens also made their way to rainy Balmoral to gather at the gates throughout the day and share well wishes for the Queen.
Several were still there when the news of her death was announced, with more mourners arriving throughout the evening.
Charlotte Westwell, from Aboyne, was joined by her husband Adam Westwell and daughters Tilly, four, and Harriet, one, to lay flowers at Balmoral.
She said: “I’m here because she’s our Queen. She’s inspirational and what she did over her life was amazing. She had privileged life, but I wouldn’t want to work until I’m 96.
“We actually met the Queen two years ago while walking around the Balmoral estate. She was on her horse and stopped to say good morning.”
‘Thought she was invincible’
Stewart, 47, and Iona McNiven, 48, said the fact she was as Balmoral when she died was “special”.
She said: “It was expected, but pretty shocking. She has been Queen since before my mother was born. I think it is really special that she was in one of her favourite places when she passed.
“I don’t think the family will know what’s hit them. She might have been a small woman but they will be big shoes to fill. I think the Queen and everybody helped each other through the pandemic.
“Seeing her at Prince Philip’s funeral was very moving, she was just like everybody else.”
Also laying flowers were Vicky Burnett and Dana Smith, from Banchory, who heard the news on the radio while out driving.
They decided to continue to Balmoral to pay their respects.
Ms Smith said: “Just because it happened so suddenly, we came to pay our respects. The convoy went right past my house.
“I’ve not really processed it yet, it was so sudden. When I was younger I watched the Queen go to her Sunday church service. Her and the Queen Mother came to Teapot Cottage nearby as well, she did her signature wave while she was there.
“I think this was the Queen’s favourite place to be.”
Ms Burnett added: “Naively you just think she’ll live forever. We thought the Queen was invincible. We got the flowers at Ballater, there were only a few left.”
‘The glue that held the country together’
James Shand, 82, and Alison Shand, 52, both grew up in Deeside and have come out to Balmoral this afternoon – a place where they say “the Queen has very fond memories”.
She said: “We felt it was appropriate to come up, we are glad she was in Balmoral. It would be good to see her stay.
“When she was photographed on Tuesday, she looked quite frail. She is the only monarch I have ever known. It’s a very sad time for the world.
“She has been a great source of comfort for the country.”
Mr Shand added: “We were travelling up on a family outing and saw the news. We decided to come and pay our respects. We have been royal followers for years.
“She came to the throne when I was starting out secondary school, she has been an acquaintance throughout my life. She is the glue that holds the country together.
“Very hard shoes to fill, the way she has carried herself has been fantastic.”
‘Love for the Queen’
Morgan Anderson, from Grantown-on-Spey, described the Queen’s death as a “historic moment”.
The 23-year-old said: “It’s a nice, peaceful end. In times to come, her legacy in the area will become more know as things are named after her.
“She’s part of the area. She would have liked to pass here, you couldn’t think of a more peaceful place.
“Everyone is gathering because of their love for the Queen. And I would think even with the Queen gone, Balmoral will still be the royals’ favourite spot away from the noise of London. ”
Julie McWilliam, from Torphins, said she came out today to “pay her respects” as a longtime fan of the royals.
The 54-year-old said: “She has been the leader of the country for so long, and because we live local we thought we would just come up.
“We always come up and see the royals. They’re often walking the grounds because they get so much privacy up here. In other places they don’t get this much privacy.
“My brother, during lockdown, was out for a walk and met Prince Charles. While there they had a chat for 20 minutes about the world, life and the lockdowns.”
She added that the country will be in mourning “for a long time”.
A special place for the Queen
Mother and daughter duo Lily Smith, 40, and Lily Murray, 15, travelled from Aberdeen to Balmoral for the first time.
Ms Smith, speaking before confirmation of the Queen’s death, said: “She loves Balmoral, I think she probably chose to come up here. The Queen has done amazing, this is a special place for her.
“It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. I think she likes it here it here because it’s private and the Scottish people always respect that privacy.
“Some of her best memories will be at Balmoral, it’s a very special place for the royal family. The Queen has done her duty and has dedicated her life to working for the country.
“In my lifetime, she has held on to a lot of tradition but also adapted quite a lot. The country has changed a lot during her reign. I don’t know a lot about politics, all I know is I have a warmth to her.
“I know people have all these opinions about the royal family, but where would Scotland be without its castles? To be here at Balmoral in torrential rain, in true Scottish fashion, is really important.
“It’s something you will never see again in your lifetime.”