The Queen's love of Scotland 'cannot be underestimated', says Ian Blackford in Commons tribute

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The relationship between the Queen and Scotland was "one of shared admiration", Ian Blackford has said as MPs marked the life of the country's longest-reigning sovereign.

The SNP leader at Westminster was among the first speakers in a special Commons session that will run throughout the day until 10pm.

MPs from all parties will wait in turn to for the chance to pay tribute to Elizabeth II, who died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle yesterday.

Blackford spoke of the Queen's love of her rural estate in Aberdeenshire and her fondness for all things Scottish.He told MPs: "I am struck with just how many people across Scotland have had a first-hand encounter with the Queen."Whether they have been invited to one of her Holyrood garden parties, or had the pleasure to meet her at one of the many hundreds of events, walk-abouts or official openings, including that of our Scottish Parliament."Or whether she has taken them wholly by surprise with chance encounter in the countryside or villages near Balmoral, people the length and breadth of Scotland have their own tales of their individual meetings with the Queen."Because, she was a monarch who reigned with compassion and integrity and who established a deep connection with the public."And the affection which the Queen had for Scotland, and that Scotland has for the Queen, cannot be under-estimated."The SNP MP added: "The relationship between Scotland and the Queen was one of shared admiration.