Salmond hails Queen app as Ross prepares to party
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AS communities across Ross entered the Jubilee spirit, First Minister Alex Salmond urged tech-savvy Scots to get to grips with a digital app honouring her reign in Scotland.
A free download - Queen of Scots – uses the latest technology to help mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrations for which began this weekend.
The SNP leader urged people across the country to celebrate the milestones in Her Majesty’s reign in Scotland by downloading the Scottish Government’s free app, which offers video footage and rare images of some of her most memorable visits to Scotland.
The First Minister said the app – which is available for download now – was an exciting and innovative way to bring the history and tradition of The Queen’s 60 years on the throne to a modern digital audience, allowing more and more people to celebrate the service of their monarch.
The people of Scotland can help shape the app by suggesting their favourite memories of the Queen’s visits for inclusion in future updates.
Queen of Scots is the first in a series of gifts to be made to The Queen on behalf of the people of Scotland in the Jubilee year. The app will be followed by a commemorative Jubilee garden to be planted in the grounds of Holyrood Palace, with a donation of £50,000 made to Veterans Scotland in her Majesty’s name.
Mr Salmond said: “The Queen has given Scotland 60 years of unparalleled service, and the Jubilee weekend will offer the people of Scotland a fantastic opportunity to celebrate that service and reflect on Her Majesty’s reign.
“During her time on the throne, The Queen has been a particular friend to Scotland, and Her many memorable visits have offered a wealth of fabulous memories for Scots of all ages.
“Our Queen of Scots app captures that excitement, offering exclusive images of Her Majesty’s official visits to places in Scotland such as Iona, Melrose and Shetland as well as video and pictures of high-profile events such as the reopening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, and the visit of the Pope in 2010.
“The app is an exciting mix of the traditional and modern, and gives people an innovative way of learning about Her Majesty’s reign in this country. I hope it helps people in today’s modern, digital Scotland celebrate the Jubilee and commemorate the wonderful service offered to them by their Queen.”
Historiographer Royal in Scotland, Professor T.C. Smout said: “Since The Queen ascended the throne in 1952, Scotland has played host to some remarkable moments in Royal history.
“Scotland is a place where the Royal Family has holidayed, been educated, married and even been born in. There are many placed the length and breadth of the country that you too can see, following in the footsteps of the monarchy – from visiting remote Western Isles, to the Scottish Crown Jewels – the oldest crown jewels in Britain.
“I encourage you to get into the true Diamond Jubilee spirit with this informative app and explore both the timeline – and footsteps – of the Queen in Scotland.”
Queen of Scots is available for free download at the Apple iTunes store now. To find it in the app store, enter “Queen Scotland”.
The app will be updated after the Jubilee to include images of Royal Week in Scotland, as well as selected other memories of the Queen’s reign suggested by the people of Scotland.
Suggestions can be made by e-mail to info@scotland.org
Communities across Ross-shire are getting involved in the Diamnond Jubilee celebrations, with activities in Tain over the weekend and a major street party in Dingwall on Monday, amongst others.
Share your pictures at editor@rsjournal.co.uk
