WATCH: Poignant memories flood back as Ross-shire care home residents at Parklands' Tain, Muir of Ord and Fortrose facilities reflect on Queen's 70-year reign to mark Platinum Jubilee
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Residents from Ross-shire and the wider Highlands have been reflecting on The Queen’s 70-year reign in a new video to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Residents from Parklands’ care homes in Tain, Muir of Ord, Fortrose, Grantown, Aberlour, Keith and Buckie feature in the video.
They recall the moment they heard that King George VI had died and the sadness that gripped the country as the young Princess returned home from a trip to Kenya.
Billy Mackintosh, a resident in Eilean Dubh in Fortrose, was serving in the Army in Singapore when he heard news of the King’s death. “She went out as a lassie and came home as Queen. She had a hard time of it losing her father,” he said.
“She knew one day she would be Queen but I don’t think she expected it so soon,” said Pauline Mackay, also of Eilean Dubh.
“I think everybody sort of felt sorry for her for the burdens that she was taking over,” added Paul Spaven of Urray House in Muir of Ord.
Janet Murray, a resident at Burnbank in Buckie, recalled that the newspapers of the day featured a black border as a mark of respect.
That sadness turned to joy in 1953 following the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Most of the residents were children at the time and remember having a day off school and street parties taking place across the country. A lucky few were able to watch the spectacle on television. It was a moment of excitement for a country still subject to post war rationing.
Many of the residents described themselves as avid Royal watchers and collected news cuttings and pictures of the Monarchy over the years.
The residents also reflect on the Queen’s role as Sovereign over the past 70 years. “She did her duty for the country” said Joan Christie of Urray House. “She’s done amazing work for the country,” adds Jennifer Macleod of Glenisla in Keith. “I wouldn’t have her job for all the tea in China, I think it’s a hard job” says Pauline Mackay of Eilean Dubh.
The video ends with a number of residents paying a personal tribute to Her Majesty and Innis Mhor resident Joan Davis raising a toast to the Queen.
