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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13. Sunset song
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh at the 'Sunset ceremony' at the Palace of Holyroodhouse during their tour of Scotland in July 1962. Photo: Unknown
14. Warm welcome
Queen Elizabeth II at Linlithgow on her tour of West Lothian on 1955. Photo: Unknown
15. Palace visit
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visiting Falkland Palace during a tour of Fife in 1958. Photo: Unknown
16. Coronation
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh walk to Signet Library from St Giles' Cathedral after a service.during their Coronation Visit in 1953. Photo: Unknown