Dingwall was very much the Royal Burgh after Princess Anne delighted locals during a whirlwind visit to the town yesterday.
Her appearance saw her take in two engagements over the course of the afternoon, one at the town hall to meet young carers and these second was the UHI Theological College graduation.
One of the highlights of the day was the unplanned attendance of Anne Ross who, 28 years before, presented the princess with a bouquet at the entrance to the Town Hall during a previous visit.
Mrs Ross thought it would be nice for her 11-month-old son Struan to do the same yesterday.
She said: “When Princess Anne came to Dingwall Mam and Dad took me up to see her and we have a picture of me giving her a wee bunch of flowers then so when she was coming back today we thought it would be a good opportunity to take Struan up to meet her.
“When I handed her the flowers she just said oh it is lovely to meet you and to have had the opportunity so that was nice. It made my day.”
The young members of the Michelle and Aileen Wilson Highland Dance School treated the Princess Royal to a special performance.
She also met Lord Lieutenant Janet Bowen and her husband Kit Bowen who introduced her to the chairman of the Community Council Jack Shepherd and also to Highland Councillors Angel Maclean and Bill Lobban.
The first engagement was meeting 25 young carers aged between eight and 11 who were taking part in workshop sessions.
Connecting Carers Centre Manager Roisin Connolly, who escorted the Princess Royal, said: “It is an honour to actually have the Princess Royal to come and visit the project. Particularly as we are a member of the Carers Trust and she is the patron.
“She acknowledged everybody and she engaged with them very, very well and she was genuinely interested in what they had to say, so it was a pleasure being her escort for the short time that she was with us. I think she was very very entertained by some of the activities that she saw.”
The Princess Royal also exchanged a few words with the chairman of the community council Jack Shepherd.
Mr Shepherd said: “Well, it was a first for me. She was quite impressed with the amount of things that were happening in Dingwall and she made the comment that there always seemed to be something happening in Dingwall and said we should carry on to do as much as we can.”
Graduation
The Princess Royal presided over the Highland Theological College UHI graduation ceremony at Dingwall and Strathpeffer Free Church.
Acting in her capacity as Chancellor of the university she presented certificates to the graduates and gave an address after a procession from the Theological College directly across the street.
A stand out of the ceremony was the presentation of the UHI’s first ever Honorary Doctorate to longstanding supporter, Eileen Mackay.
After a distinguished career in the civil service, holding posts in HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, the Dingwall-native spent almost a decade on the UHI court.
She said: “I feel really thrilled, I think I would say I was touched and moved really – I never expected an honour like this and to be the first honorary doctor of the university – well, I am moved by it.
“Particularly as Dingwall is my home town, I was educated here, my father was the rector in Dingwall Academy for 20 years so Highland education is in the blood.”
She added: “It was particularly gratifying to get it from the Princess Royal, I have very much enjoyed my day.”
Another highlight was Cate Otanes being presented with the Highland Theological College UHI’s Endeavour Award for exceptional commitment and dedication.
She is originally from the Philippines and relocated from the Philippines to attend an access course at the college in 2016 and is studying a BA (Hons) theological studies in what is her third language.
Mrs Otanes said: “I feel honoured and happy. I hope to do some mission work after graduation or teaching.”
