Scottish farmers form guard of honour for the Queen: Tractors line the road as Her Majesty’s coffin is carried from Balmoral to lie in state in Edinburgh
- Dozens of tractors lined the road in Aberdeenshire as the cortege drove past
- Some had their front loaders raised in salute as the Queen’s coffin passed by
- Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will arrive at Palace of Holyroodhouse this afternoon
- Will be taken to St Giles’ Cathedral tomorrow, where people can pay respects
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
Scottish farmers have paid their respects to the Queen by lining her procession route with dozens of tractors.
The guard of honour lined both sides of the road as the cortege passed through the Aberdeenshire countryside on its way to Edinburgh.
The Queen’s coffin left Balmoral this morning in a black Mercedes Benz to begin the six-hour journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch’s official Scottish residence.
With a single motorbike outrider leading the way, the procession of six vehicles drove at a stately pace past the row of colourful farming vehicles on the first leg of the journey from Balmoral to Aberdeen.
Some had their front loaders raised in salute as the Queen’s coffin, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland and with a wreath of white flowers on top, passed by.
Some had their front loaders raised in salute as the Queen’s coffin, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland and with a wreath of white flowers on top, passed by
Tractors lined both sides of the road as the Queen’s cortege passed through the Aberdeenshire countryside on its way to Edinburgh
People commented on what a ‘lovely gesture’ it was, with one social media user saying it was a ‘very fitting tribute for a well beloved Queen’.
Another added: ‘Simple messages from ordinary people, so heartfelt and patriotic.’
This morning the Queen’s oak coffin was carried to a hearse by six of the Balmoral estate’s gamekeepers after they were allowed time to say their last goodbye.
The coffin then began its 170-mile journey to Edinburgh, with Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence following directly behind in a state Bentley.
Hundreds lined the main street as the Queen’s coffin was driven slowly through Ballater, the village closest to the Balmoral estate, where many locals considered her a neighbour.
The Queen and her family were often seen in the village on her beloved Royal Deeside, which she had visited since childhood and where the royal family are allowed space to be themselves.
Many shops in the picturesque Victorian village displayed photographs of the Queen in their windows in tribute.
The hearse passed Glenmuick Church where the Rev Davi Barr had rung the church bells 70 times after her death was announced.
There was impeccable silence as the funeral procession passed through the village.
Well-wishers who had waited patiently for the opportunity to pay their respects bowed their heads while others saluted as the hearse drove slowly by.
A sombre Princess Royal in a Bentley limousine behind the Queen’s hearse as it travelled through Aberdeenshire and down to Edinburgh
Hundreds lined the main street as the Queen’s coffin was driven slowly through Ballater, the village closest to the Balmoral estate
Afterwards, Margaret MacKenzie, from Inverness, said: ‘It was very dignified. It was nice to see that a lot of people came out to support and pay their respects.’
Elizabeth Taylor, from Aberdeen, had tears in her eyes as she considered what she had just seen.
She said: ‘It was very emotional. It was respectful and showed what they think of the Queen.
‘She certainly gave service to this country, even up until a few days before her death.’
Guest house manager Victoria Pacheco said: ‘She meant such a lot to people in this area. People were crying, it was amazing to see.’
She said guests were overcome when news broke of the Queen’s death last week.
Elizabeth Taylor, from Aberdeen, had tears in her eyes as she considered what she had just seen.
She said: ‘It was very emotional. It was respectful and showed what they think of the Queen.
‘She certainly gave service to this country even up until a few days before her death.’
Families with young began gathering in the town from 7am.
The hearse passed Glenmuick Church where the Rev Davi Barr had rung the church bells 70 times after her death was announced
Large crowds lined the A90 through Angus to watch the convoy of cars pass by on its way to Edinburgh
Care assistant Elaine Reid stood wrapped in a tartan blanket with her sons Innis, 11, and Darragh, 16, in the street by Glenmuick Church.
She explained that she was happy to get up early and drive the one-hour- journey from their home in Buckie so her children could remember the Queen.
Elaine, 40, told MailOnline: ‘We came here today to pay our respects because the Queen has spent her whole life in service to our country. So this is the least we could do.
‘And I wanted the kids to be here so that they can remember this day and be able to tell their children that they were here to say goodbye to the Queen.’
Many also travelled through the night to secure a spot close to the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse where the Queen’s coffin is due to arrive at around 4pm after travelling down through Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth and Fife.
A massive security operation began in the Scottish capital as officials prepared for an unprecedented influx of visitors.
Queen Elizabeth II’s casket will lie in state for 24 hours at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. Officials are pictured outside the church on Saturday as they prepared for the procession transporting her body
Soldiers will guard the coffin around the clock during visitation. Members of the Royal Family are also expected to take turns standing guard, a tradition known as the Vigil of the Princes. Princes Edward and Charles (pictured) both guarded the Queen Mother’s coffin in 2002
Early today officers drafted in from across Scotland began taking up position along the city’s famous Royal Mile which runs between the palace and Edinburgh Castle.
Residents have been warned to expect ‘significant disruption’ as a series of major roads were closed in the city to allow access for the courage and as part of security members.
On Monday a procession will march up the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral, where Her Majesty’s coffin will remain for 24 hours and well-wishers will be able to come and pay their respects.
Officials say a queuing system and security checks will be in place. Mourners should expect to stand in the queue for a number of hours. Mobile phone use will be restricted and photography and recording will be strictly prohibited.
Members of the Royal Family, including King Charles III, will guard the coffin as it lies in state from 7.20pm on Monday in a tradition known as the Vigil of the Princes.
Brits can also pay their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall in London beginning on Wednesday. Her Majesty will lie in state for ‘four clear days’ in Westminster Hall until the morning of her funeral on Monday, September 19.
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