Her Majesty the Queen’s ties with Scotland were in her DNA, as she was descended directly from James VI of Scotland through her father King George VI.
Meanwhile, on her mother’s side, she could trace her ancestry through generations of Scottish nobility back to the 14th century and Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis, who married King Robert II’s daughter.
And Glamis Castle was the ancestral home of the Queen Mother, as well as being the birthplace of the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, who was the first royal baby to be born in Scotland since 1600.
During childhood and throughout her reign the Queen spent plenty of time in Scotland, using the ancient royal palace of Holyroodhouse when in residence in Edinburgh.
But she had particular affection for her beloved family home of Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, which was created by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as the royal family’s private retreat.
She was also said to be particularly fond of the the Royal Yacht Britannia which she launched at John Brown’s shipyard in Clydebank on April 16, 1953.
The boat was used for many trips around the world until it was decommisioned in 1997, later becoming a tourist attraction in Edinburgh’s Leith.
Here are 21 pictures of some of the Queen’s visits to Scotland over half a century ago.
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9. Disembarking
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh walk down the gangway of the Royal Yacht Britannia at Aberdeen in August 1955. Photo: Unknown
10. At the theatre
The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and King Olav of Norway at the gala performance of the play 'Rob Roy' in the Lyceum theatre Edinburgh during the King's state visit in October 1962. Photo: Unknown
11. Horse and carriage
A view of Queen Elizabeth II admiring one of the coaches during a visit to St Cuthberts Transport Department, in Edinburgh, in June 1966. Photo: Unknown
12. Dressed to impress
Queen Elizabeth II wears white overalls during a visit to Rothes Colliery, near Kirkcaldy, in June 1958. Photo: Unknown