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How to visit Balmoral to pay respects to the Queen – and what you shouldn’t take

Flowers outside the gates of Balmoral. Photo: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson
Flowers outside the gates of Balmoral. Photo: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson

Mourners across the country will be wondering if they can go to Balmoral to pay their respects to the Queen.

Her Majesty died in her Deeside residence, with people flocking to the estate to lay flowers and cards.

The gates of Balmoral Estate are now packed with media organisations and police, but people can still go to pay their respects.

Aberdeenshire Council has set up a park and ride for those who wish to go to the gates as all road access to the estate has been closed off.

From Monday, September 12, buses will operate between Ballater and Balmoral throughout the day from 10am to 6.30pm.

Aberdeenshire Council confirmed that services from Braemar – which operated over the weekend – had been suspended.

People wishing to visit Balmoral can park in Ballater and catch a shuttle bus from Monaltrie Park.

It is not yet known when the arrangements will stop, given the Queen’s coffin has been transported to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon.

Rules for visiting Balmoral

Members of the public visiting Balmoral will be able to go to the gates and lay flowers, but they will not be able to gather afterwards.

People are being asked to return straight back to Ballater after paying their respects as there will not be space for the crowds expected to head to the estate.

Buses have been taking people to Balmoral from Ballater. Photo: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson

Only flowers can be laid at the gates, no candles, photographs or stuffed toys, and people are advised to dress for the wet weather as there will be no shelter.

A number of items are prohibited on park and ride services and at Balmoral, including bags larger than A5 size, any items that make a noise and banners or flags.

Items that should not be taken to Balmoral for tributes

  • Candles
  • Photographs
  • Stuffed toys
  • Large bags
  • Items that make a noise
  • Banners or flags

Park and Ride times

Aberdeenshire police has asked residents looking to pay their respects to use the park and ride facilities organised by Aberdeenshire Council.

Mourners have dressed smart to pay their respects. Photo: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson

Divisional commander, chief superintendent Kate Stephen said: “We are experiencing an increasing number of well-wishers turning up at Balmoral Estate to lay floral tributes, which was fully expected and welcome.

“However many people are travelling directly to Balmoral by car where there are no parking spaces available.

“A number of people turned up throughout the night to pay their respects and, given that Balmoral is a very remote and rural place with very little lighting, our officers on the ground were conscious that it was not the safest location to be so late.

“Therefore I would strongly recommend planning your visit during the park & ride times.”

Floral tributes left at Balmoral. Picture by Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

If you cannot make it to Balmoral, there are more places across the north and north-east you can go to pay your respects.

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