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.
There will be changes made to our Park and Ride facilities for tomorrow (Mon 12th) for people wishing to head to Balmoral to lay flowers. Remember, access to Balmoral gates by road is not permitted. The Ballater Park and Ride operates from Monaltrie Park from 10am until 6.30pm. pic.twitter.com/nnTHKDuQlQ
— AberdeenshireCouncil (@Aberdeenshire) September 11, 2022
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.
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.
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.”
If you cannot make it to Balmoral, there are more places across the north and north-east you can go to pay your respects.
Conversation