Businesses in Inverness and the Highlands pay tribute to the Queen

Businesses and organisations across the Highlands have paid tribute to the Queen following her death at Balmoral yesterday.

Sara Thiam, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), said: "The passing of Her Majesty The Queen is a time of great sorrow for people in all walks of life in every part of Scotland. SCDI joins our members in paying tribute to her and is pausing our events as a mark of our respect.

"Throughout her long reign, in good times and in harder times, The Queen was a great champion for our country and our many diverse communities, civic institutions, and businesses.

"A Queen’s Award for Enterprise has always been held in the highest esteem by SCDI members presented with it because it recognises the values, excellence and international outlook that she herself embodied.

The country is in mourning now, but we should find solace and resolution from re-dedicating ourselves, and our businesses and organisations, to creating a more purposeful economy and better society."

David Richardson, the Highlands & Islands Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Her Majesty’s dedication to duty has been second to none, and tribute after tribute has reflected on her steady, continuing, positive presence in both the country and the wider world.

"She will be sorely missed internationally, nationally and, of course, here in the Highlands. We send our deep condolences to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family.”

Lorraine Bremner McBride, the director of Inverness BID, said: "The Queen was a remarkable lady and we are grateful for her dedication to duty and her life of service."

Lucy Harding, manager of Nairn BID, said: "The Board, staff and members of Nairn BID are very sad to hear of the Queen's passing after such a long and remarkable life.

"The town has demonstrated its affection for the Royal family in this Royal Burgh, most notably on the occasion of her visit to the Links in 1961 and more recently when the future Queen Consort, Camilla, visited last year to award BEMs to Sam and Susan Hey and officially open the Splash Pad.

One of the oldest established tailoring specialists in the Highlands, Campbell's of Beauly, was granted a Royal Warrant to the Queen in 2017 for tailoring services.

In April this year it was also granted the appointment of tailors and tweed mercers to the Prince of Wales.

In a post on social media, a spokesman said: "We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

On behalf of all the team here at Campbell’s, our thoughts and sympathies are with the Royal Family."

Inverness city centre pub Johnny Foxes and The Den lowered its flag to half mast after the sad news was announced.

In a statement a spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this very sad and hard time.

"So many of us around the country (and world) will be feeling the loss of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, Monarch of our country for over 70 years."

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