Lord Lieutenants will open books of condolence and public can lay floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at designated gardens in Moray

THE Lord-Lieutenants of Moray and Banffshire, Major General Seymour Monro and Andrew Simpson, will open the official books of condolence for Her Majesty The Queen on Friday, September 9 at 9am.

At the same time, Deputy Lord-Lieutenants will open books across Moray.

Official books will be open from 9am-6pm on Friday, September 9 and 8am-8pm thereafter, until the day after Her Majesty’s state funeral.

Official books will be available to sign at:

• Elgin: St Giles Church, High Street
• Buckie: North Church, Cluny Square
• Aberlour: Aberlour Parish Church
• Lossiemouth: St Gerardine’s High Church
• Keith: St Rufus Church, Church Road
• Forres: St Laurence Church. High Street

There is also an online e-Book of Condolence open to the public on the Buckingham Palace website at www.royal.uk.

Floral tributes can also be laid in Moray and people are urged to do so only at the designated gardens.

These are:

• Elgin: St Giles Church, High Street
• Buckie: War memorial, Cluny Square
• Forres: St Laurence Church, High Street
• Keith: St Rufus Church, Church Road
• Lossiemouth: St Gerardine High Church
• Aberlour: War memorial garden next to Aberlour Parish Church

The floral tributes will be tidied to keep them respectful throughout the national period of mourning and this may result in the removal of tributes where necessary.

All floral tributes will be gathered and composted for use as fertiliser for a potential future tree planting memorial to Her Majesty.

Any tributes left outwith the official sites will not be recycled or maintained, so people are urged to avoid leaving anything other than flowers.

All wrapping and packaging from floral tributes should be removed before being placed in designated areas to ensure tributes can be recycled. Additional bins will be placed on-site to facilitate this.

Any cards left with floral tributes will be sent to Buckingham Palace in due course.

Queuing to sign books and lay flowers may be required during busy periods. Limited parking is available, including disabled parking, at some sites.

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