Jubilee celebrations under way as Scots mark 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II

Gun salute: Edinburgh Castle honours Her Majesty.SWNS

Scotland is kicking off its Diamond Jubilee celebrations in style as street parties and gun salutes pay tribute to the Queen.

Her Majesty’s 60-year reign as monarch is being marked in a series of events up and down the country over the bank holiday weekend.

Perth has found itself at the centre of the festivities as Saturday marks the official beginning of its new city status. The town’s designation was upgraded as part of a series of celebrations to mark the Jubilee.

The Perth Kilt Run set a new world record for the largest race featuring people wearing kilts. The five-mile run attracted more than a thousand participants at Saturday lunchtime.

In the North Inch area of the city, a free event was held to bring families out in celebration, with picnics, music, and parades on offer.

The 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) conducted a royal salute at Edinburgh Castle. The gunners sounded 21 guns at 12 noon to commemorate the sovereign’s coronation.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel James Cook, who led the salute, said: "The Regiment is honoured to be firing a 21-Gun Royal Salute today, as the nation celebrates Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.

"The Royal Salute provides a great occasion for the Gunners to display their professionalism and pride in conducting such an honour in Scotland's capital city."

In the Borders, the Royal Burgh of Lauder is living up to its name with a Living History exhibition drawing on local people’s experiences of the Coronation and previous Jubilee commemorations. The Lauder Jubilee Tea Dance features afternoon tea and live music with traditional dancing from local dance troupes.

The Scottish Government has released a free app to commemorate the Queen’s reign. ‘Queen of Scots’, which is available from the Apple iTunes store, features video and rare images from Her Majesty’s most memorable visits to Scotland. First Minister Alex Salmond urged Scots to download the app and celebrate the Queen’s service to the Scottish people.

Children are being encouraged to get into the spirit of the weekend too, with a new picture book about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The commemorative volume recounts educational and fascinating moments in royal history and even includes facts and figures about the Queen’s annual garden parties at the palace.

More events will be held over the bank holiday weekend. On Sunday, Drumlanrig Tearoom in Dumfries and Galloway will host the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Big Lunch. The event will feature "food from four nations" to celebrate national dishes from across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The Big Jubilee Lunch in Angus will see friends and neighbours gather together in street parties and public parks to share picnics and join in the royal festivities.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty came to the throne on February 6, 1952 but her coronation did not take place until June 2, 1953.

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