Events and celebrations across Scotland for The Platinum Jubilee

To mark the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, Scotland is preparing to celebrate through a range of events and celebrations across the country.

From tree planting with The Queen’s Green Canopy to Jubilee themed afternoon tea at Balmoral Castle, there is a plethora of events, exhibitions and activities to get involved with,  the following is just a hint of what you can expect.

For more information and upcoming events head to www.visitscotland.com/jubilee

The Royal Yacht Britannia will also be offering a special Platinum Jubilee Private Tour of Britannia. The captivating behind-the-ropes tour gives an insight into how the Royal Family and 220 crew lived and worked on board. Britannia was the one Royal residence for which both The Queen and Prince Philip had final say in its design. The Royal couple approved plans and personally selected furniture, fabrics and paintings for what was to become their floating palace. Guests will hear stories of life on board and discover what made Britannia so special to all who knew her.

14th July - 25th September

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Holyroodhouse is not only a royal residence today but was home to Mary Queen of Scots for some years, Bonnie Prince Charlie also set up court here for a short time. Open throughout the year, the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. 

In celebration of The Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the Palace of Holyroodhouse will host a display looking back at Her Majesty’s previous Jubilees. The display will feature outfits worn by Her Majesty on occasions to celebrate the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees.  In 1977 for The Queen’s Silver Jubilee, the royal couturier Sir Hardy Amies designed a striking ensemble of dress, coat and stole in pink silk crepe and chiffon with a matching hat designed by Simone Mirman with flowerheads hanging from silk stems.  The ensemble was worn at the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on 7th June 1977 marking the 25th anniversary of The Queen’s Accession.

Running from 14th July -25th September, an adult ticket cost from £17.50 

Visitors can extend their visit with a trip to Edinburgh Castle to discover more royal history, including The Royal Apartments. The last royal to stay in Edinburgh Castle was King Charles I in 1633.

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a nationwide tree planting initiative created to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. People from across the United Kingdom are invited to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. Schools, businesses, communities and the general public are encouraged to plant trees sustainably and during tree planting season (October to March) in order to enhance the environment and to help “create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations”. There is also the option of gifting a tree to help create green spaces in both deprived urban areas and in schools throughout the UK.

In addition to the planting of new trees, the Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a UK network of 70 Ancient Woodlands to highlight the importance of these woodlands and how to look after them. All these woodlands must be actively managed. Furthermore the Queen’s Green Canopy will identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of service.

Visitors can discover where Jubilee trees have been planted here. For some tree planting inspiration discover a historic image of the Queen planting a tree in Canongate Manse, Edinburgh in 1969. Planting a cherry tree in Canongate Kirk was among the very first of Queen Elizabeth’s royal duties in 1952 and the Yew Tree The Queen planted at Glamis Castle, in 1937, while she was still a Princess still stands. 

Famously the holiday home of the royal family, as well as where The Queen and Prince Philip spent part of their honeymoon, Balmoral Estate is running a new exciting exhibition titled “Life at Balmoral” throughout the summer until closing on 2nd August. The exhibition celebrates all life at Balmoral “from the river to the royals.” Part of the exhibition will feature mannequins depicting what Her Majesty the Queen may wear during her stay at Balmoral, from outfits she would wear to walk the dogs to the outfit she wore for the last Jubilee. 

Over the Jubilee weekend Balmoral Estate will be running a very special Jubilee celebration afternoon tea in Piper’s Hall restaurant and will be live streaming all the celebration footage from across the country.  Tickets for this must be booked in advance and cost £45 per adult including entry fee, £22.50 for children including entry.  

Further Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Balmoral Estate include:

·       2nd June Ballater Pipe band playing 3 performances throughout the day 

·       3rd June Birds of prey display 

·       4th June Vintage bus display and shuttle service 

·       5th June Leeds pipe band playing 3 performances throughout the day

At the end of week following the extended Jubilee bank holiday, there will also be two live theatre events:

·       9th June Midsummer Nights Dream 

·       10th June Othello

The village of Ballater is located close to the Queen’s holiday home of Balmoral. The Queen visited several locations in Ballater in 2016 in order to meet members of the local community impacting by recent flooding.

Local events include lighting of Queen’s Jubilee Beacon, a Jubilee film show, afternoon tea, big jubilee lunch on the green (attendees bring their own picnic) and a street party with live music and planting of Platinum Jubilee tree.https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/highlight/the-jubilee-weekend”>Platinum Jubilee Weekend at Musselburgh Racecourse

4 – 5 June 2022, tickets from £25, see online for more information

Musselburgh Racecourse has a proud Royal heritage, opened by Princess Anne and visited by The Queen, and its Platinum Jubilee Weekend honour the monarch’s 70 years on the throne in a way that pays tribute to her enthusiasm for the sport.  Offering a fabulous weekend of celebrations for everyone, from racing enthusiasts to families, groups of friends and couples, it begins on Saturday, 4 June  with the £50,000 Inch’s Cider Scottish Sprint Cup Raceday. Then the Skybet Sunday Series Raceday, featuring the Queen of Scots Fillies Stakes and the Jubilee Family Fair, follows on  5 June. 

A distant relative of one of Her Majesty The Queen’s own corgis named Paddy from Port Seaton, will take part in a special corgi race ‘The Corgi Derby’ on the Sunday and there will also be an exclusive performance by Louise Marshall, Scotland’s national piper who was the lone piper to Her Majesty The Queen at the naming ceremony of the Queen Elizabeth Ocean Liner in 2010.

As well as racing, spectators will be able to enjoy live music, indulge in delicious fresh street food and enjoy a range of local beers and ciders. The Funkwagen DJ will also be there to get the party started. 

With a real family feel and party atmosphere, the event is suited to all ages and visitors are encouraged to bring along a picnic and join in the street-party extravaganza.  The day is also packed with family activities including a free funfair and face-painting, plus prizes for the best dressed Prince and Princess. 

The course’s Queen Stand is also hosting the Big Jubilee Lunch, catered for by Royal Warrant holders Heritage Portfolio, followed by Afternoon Tea inspired by items served at The Queen’s Garden Parties.

4 – 5 June 2022, tickets from £25, see online for more information

Musselburgh Racecourse has a proud Royal heritage, opened by Princess Anne and visited by The Queen, and its Platinum Jubilee Weekend honour the monarch’s 70 years on the throne in a way that pays tribute to her enthusiasm for the sport.  Offering a fabulous weekend of celebrations for everyone, from racing enthusiasts to families, groups of friends and couples, it begins on Saturday, 4 June  with the £50,000 Inch’s Cider Scottish Sprint Cup Raceday. Then the Skybet Sunday Series Raceday, featuring the Queen of Scots Fillies Stakes and the Jubilee Family Fair, follows on  5 June. 

A distant relative of one of Her Majesty The Queen’s own corgis named Paddy from Port Seaton, will take part in a special corgi race ‘The Corgi Derby’ on the Sunday and there will also be an exclusive performance by Louise Marshall, Scotland’s national piper who was the lone piper to Her Majesty The Queen at the naming ceremony of the Queen Elizabeth Ocean Liner in 2010.

As well as racing, spectators will be able to enjoy live music, indulge in delicious fresh street food and enjoy a range of local beers and ciders. The Funkwagen DJ will also be there to get the party started. 

With a real family feel and party atmosphere, the event is suited to all ages and visitors are encouraged to bring along a picnic and join in the street-party extravaganza.  The day is also packed with family activities including a free funfair and face-painting, plus prizes for the best dressed Prince and Princess. 

The course’s Queen Stand is also hosting the Big Jubilee Lunch, catered for by Royal Warrant holders Heritage Portfolio, followed by Afternoon Tea inspired by items served at The Queen’s Garden Parties.

It’s time to get nostalgic and join us for our one night only Platinum Jubilee Evening charter - or better known as a good old fashioned Loch Ness by Jacobite Booze Cruise. 

Your ticket will include a drink on arrival to get you in the dancing mood as we sail down Loch Ness on our 3hr cruise. Soak in the sights, dance the night away and have a night to remember. This is a guaranteed good time and our DJ’s Simon & Scott will get you all in the party mood.

Come along and celebrate the Queens Jubilee with a picnic at the Mansion House. There will be entertainment for children and food stalls in the Courtyard. Bring along a picnic blanket and enjoy the entertainment. This event is free to attend. 

Treat yourself and the whole family to a delicious afternoon tea box. For the little ones wanting a lighter bite, there’s a child’s box available too!

Relax and enjoy the elegant surroundings of our walled garden as you find a spot and tuck in. To keep the wee ones entertained there is a craft tent onsite. Children encouraged to come dressed up as a character from British or Commonwealth history - anything from princes and princesses, to Paddington and Robin Hood. The more the merrier!

Get in the competitive spirit with our vintage lawn games, enjoy live music on and off all day, and BBC’s Platinum Party in the Palace Concert which will be playing on the big screen (evening - timing tbc).

Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and treat yourself to a sumptuous three-course meal from a menu inspired by the Scottish larder. This fine dining experience in  the Stiticher’s café will be followed by an exclusive evening viewing of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

During the Platinum Jubilee weekend. Free tours of the castle will be provided, allowing visitors to see completed and in progress restoration work. Balintore has Royal connections. The Queen Mother used to stay at Balintore Castle as part of shooting parties which departed from Glamis Castle. One of King Edward VII’s close friends, the Comte de Berteux, was a shooting tenant at Balintore, so it is a cert that Edward must have shot here as Balmoral is just 20 miles away. However, documentary evidence for this is yet to be found. This event is free to attend. 

Join us for Nairn’s Jubilee Picnic in the Park to celebrate the Queen’s 70th Jubilee.

This community event will take place in The Viewfield (behind the museum).

Bring a picnic or enjoy some food from Seasonal Flavour. Grab a cuppa from the St Ninian Bowling Club or bring your own.

Community stalls, local entertainment, candy floss and more.

This event is being supported by Gordon’s Timber, The Havelock, Nairn Rotary Club, Ashers, Nairn Museum, the Nairn Fire and Rescue Service and Nairn BID.